Fitting assembly evaluating apparatus

ABSTRACT

The present application discloses methods and apparatus for installing fitting components, such as a conduit gripping device, on a conduit to form an assembly. The assembly is joinable with at least one other fitting component to form a fitting. The present application also discloses methods and apparatus for evaluating characteristics of components of a mechanically attached connection. Characteristics that may be evaluated include, but are not limited to, the position of a conduit gripping device on a conduit, an amount of axial compression or stroke of the conduit gripping device, an amount of clamping force applied to the conduit gripping device as the conduit gripping device is compressed, and an amount of torque applied to members that compresses the conduit gripping device.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 13/201,936, filedAug. 17, 2011, titled FITTING ASSEMBLY EVALUATING APPARATUS AND METHODS,now U.S. Pat. No. 8,997,325 B2, which is the U.S. national phase entryof PCT/US2010/024886, with an international filing date of Feb. 22,2010, which claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patent applicationSer. No. 61/298,179 filed on Jan. 25, 2010, for APPARATUS FOR SWAGINGFERRULES; U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/154,136 filedon Feb. 20, 2009, for CONDUIT FITTING WITH SPLIT TORQUE COLLAR; U.S.provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/154,165 filed on Feb. 20,2009, expired, for APPARATUS FOR SWAGING FERRULES; U.S. provisionalpatent application Ser. No. 61/154,172 filed on Feb. 20, 2009, forAPPARATUS FOR SWAGING FERRULES; U.S. provisional patent application Ser.No. 61/154,139 filed on Feb. 20, 2009, for CONDUIT FITTING WITH GROOVEDTORQUE COLLAR; and U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No.61/154,144 filed on Feb. 20, 2009, for CONDUIT FITTING WITH TORQUECOLLAR, the entire disclosures all of which are fully incorporatedherein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present application relates to methods and apparatus used toevaluate or determine the nature of a mechanically attached connectioninstalled on a conduit. More particularly, the application relates tomethods and apparatus for evaluating such an assembly by determining orevaluating one or more characteristics of a component of themechanically attached connection, the conduit or both.

BACKGROUND

Mechanically attached connections such as fittings, joints, couplings,unions and so on are used in fluid systems to contain fluid flow. Suchmechanically attached connections may be conduit fittings for tube, pipeor any other type of conduit. The conduit fittings may connect a conduitend to either another conduit end or to another portion of a fluidsystem. For simplicity and clarity, the term ‘fitting’ as used herein isintended to be all inclusive of other terms, for example coupling,connection, union, joint and so on, that could alternatively be used torefer to a mechanically attached connection. Such mechanically attachedconnections are characterized by a fluid tight seal and mechanicalstrength to hold the connection together including sufficient grip ofthe conduit under vibration, stress and pressure. Fluids may includegas, liquid and any variation or combination thereof.

Fluid systems typically use mechanically attached connections tointerconnect conduit ends to each other and to flow devices which maycontrol flow, contain flow, regulate flow, measure one or morecharacteristics of the fluid or fluid flow, or otherwise influence thefluid within the fluid system. The term ‘mechanically attachedconnection’ as used herein means any connection for or in a fluid systemthat involves at least one connection that is held in place bymechanically applied force, stress, pressure, torque, or the like, suchas, for example, a threaded connection, a clamped connection, a boltedor screwed together connection and so on. This is distinguished from ametallurgical or chemical connection most commonly practiced as welding,brazing, soldering, adhesive and so forth. A connection may include acombination of mechanical and metallurgical connections, and often do,and such connections are also within the term ‘mechanically attachedconnections’ as they include at least one such connection.

One example of a mechanically attached connection involves a conduitgripping device, such as, for example, a collet or one or more ferrules,which may be installed on an outer surface of a conduit for assemblywith a fitting. In a conventional ferrule type fitting, first and secondcoupling members (e.g., a fitting body and nut) may be assembledtogether and tightened (or pulled up) to install the ferrule or ferrulesin gripping and sealing engagement with the conduit by plasticallydeforming the ferrule or ferrules on the conduit. The installed ferruleor ferrules provide a fluid tight seal with the assembled fitting,particularly under pressure, as well as adequate grip of the conduit andprotection against vibration fatigue.

Ferrule type fittings are well known and characteristically include athreaded coupling nut, a threaded coupling body and one or more ferrulesthat fit inside the coupling nut. The coupling body typically includes acamming surface that engages a camming surface on a ferrule. Acylindrical conduit such as, for example, a tube end, is slid into thecoupling body with the ferrules closely surrounding the outer wall ofthe conduit end. When the coupling nut is installed onto the threadedend of the coupling body (or vice versa when the coupling body includesfemale threads), an axial force is applied to the ferrule or ferruleswhich causes the camming surfaces of the ferrule and body to engage toproduce a swaging action thereby causing a radial displacement ofportions of each ferrule, causing the ferrules to tightly grip the outerwall of the conduit end. In many applications the fitting can beassembled with the use of simple hand tools such as wrenches.

In some circumstances, a fitting's conduit gripping device may be“pre-installed” or “pre-swaged” on a conduit (using, for example, thefitting with which the conduit gripping device is to subsequently beassembled, another fitting, or an installation tool) to facilitatesubsequent installation of a fitting to the conduit in the fluid system.For example, tools may be used to “pre-install” or “pre-swage” the suchone or more ferrules on the conduit, which holds the one or moreferrules and the coupling nut on the conduit as a subassembly. Thissubassembly of the ferrules, coupling nut, and the conduit are laterassembled with a fitting body to form a final fitting assembly. Oneexample of a tool for installing ferrules onto a conduit is disclosed byU.S. Pat. No. 6,834,524 to Johnston, titled “Apparatus for SwagingFerrules,” which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Another example of a mechanically attached connection is known as aflared fitting. In a flared fitting, an end of the tube that seals witha fitting body is flared radially outward. Some existing flared fittingsinclude a body, a sleeve, and a nut. The nut and sleeve are placed overthe tube and the tube end is flared radially outward. After the flaringoperation, the flared tube end is clamped between the fitting body andthe sleeve by the nut.

SUMMARY

The present application discloses methods and apparatus for installingfitting components, such as a conduit gripping device, on a conduit toform an assembly. The assembly is joinable with at least one otherfitting component to form a fitting. The present application alsodiscloses methods and apparatus for evaluating characteristics ofcomponents of a mechanically attached connection. Characteristics thatmay be evaluated include, but are not limited to, the position of aconduit gripping device on a conduit, an amount of axial compression orstroke of the conduit gripping device, an amount of clamping forceapplied to the conduit gripping device as the conduit gripping device isaxially compressed, and an amount of torque applied to members thataxially compresses the conduit gripping device.

In one embodiment, a conduit gripping device is installed on a conduitby applying the same predetermined torque that is used to pull up afitting that includes the assembly. For example, a predetermined torquemay be applied between a first fitting component and a member to axiallyadvance the first fitting component with respect to the member. Thisaxial advancing causes a first amount of compression of the conduitgripping device that causes the conduit gripping device to grip onto aconduit. The first fitting component is separated from the member andassembled with a second fitting component. The predetermined torque isapplied between the first fitting component and the second fittingcomponent to axially advance the first fitting component with respect tothe second fitting component. This axial advancing causes a secondamount of compression of the conduit gripping device that causes theconduit gripping device to grip and seal the conduit.

In another exemplary embodiment, torque is monitored to determinewhether one or more conduit gripping device components are present,properly oriented, and/or in a proper order. For example, torque may beapplied between a first member and a second member to cause relativeaxial movement of the first member toward the second member to clamp theconduit gripping device. A position of the first member with respect tothe second member is monitored during the relative axial movement. Also,a torque applied between the first member and the second member ismonitored during the relative axial movement. Whether one or morecomponents of the conduit gripping device are disposed between the firstmember and the second member, are properly oriented and/or are properlyordered is determined based on the monitored position and the monitoredtorque.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other inventive aspects and features of the present disclosurewill become apparent to one skilled in the art to which the presentinvention relates upon consideration of the following description of theexemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, inwhich:

FIG. 1A illustrates an exemplary conduit gripping device positionedaround a conduit at a first axial location;

FIG. 1B illustrates the exemplary conduit gripping device positionedaround the conduit at a second axial location;

FIG. 1C illustrates a component of the exemplary conduit gripping devicepositioned around the conduit, while a second component of the conduitgripping device is missing;

FIG. 1D illustrates the exemplary conduit gripping device positionedaround the conduit, with the order of the components of the conduitgripping device reversed;

FIG. 1E illustrates the exemplary conduit gripping device positionedaround the conduit, with an orientation of a front ferrule of theconduit gripping device reversed;

FIG. 1F illustrates the exemplary conduit gripping device positionedaround the conduit, with an orientation of a rear ferrule of the conduitgripping device reversed; and

FIG. 1G illustrates the exemplary conduit gripping device positionedaround the conduit, with an orientation of a front ferrule and a rearferrule of the conduit gripping device reversed.

FIG. 2 illustrates a side cross-sectional schematic view of a fittingassembly evaluation apparatus assembled with a conduit and conduitgripping device;

FIG. 2A illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of afitting assembly evaluation apparatus;

FIG. 2B illustrates a side cross-sectional view of the apparatus of FIG.2A, assembled with a conduit, conduit gripping device, and fittingcoupling member;

FIG. 3 illustrates a side cross-sectional schematic view of anotherfitting assembly evaluation apparatus, assembled with a conduit, conduitgripping device, and fitting coupling member;

FIG. 4 illustrates a side cross-sectional view of an exemplaryembodiment of a fitting assembly evaluation apparatus, assembled with aconduit, conduit gripping device, and fitting coupling member.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a conduit gripping device disposedaround a conduit in an apparatus for installing conduit gripping deviceson conduits of a first exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 5A is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a clampingdevice used in an apparatus for installing conduit gripping devices onconduits;

FIG. 5B is a perspective view of another exemplary embodiment of aclamping device used in an apparatus for installing conduit grippingdevices on conduits, in an installation position;

FIG. 5C is a side view of the clamping device shown in FIG. 5B;

FIG. 5D is a sectioned perspective view of the clamping device shown inFIG. 5B;

FIG. 5E is a perspective view of the clamping device shown in FIG. 5B ina conduit accepting position;

FIG. 5F is a side view of the clamping device shown in FIG. 5E;

FIG. 5G is a sectioned perspective view of the clamping device shown inFIG. 5B;

FIG. 6 is a sectioned perspective view of the apparatus as shown in FIG.5;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of an anvil and sensor assembly of theapparatus as shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a sectioned perspective view of the anvil and sensor assemblyas shown in FIG. 7;

FIG. 8A is a sectioned perspective view illustrating an embodiment of anadjustable nut sensing arrangement;

FIG. 8B is a perspective view illustrating an anvil support member thatincludes a component of an adjustable nut sensing arrangement;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a conduit sensor assembly of theanvil and sensor assembly as shown in FIG. 7;

FIG. 10 is a sectioned perspective view of the conduit sensor assemblyas shown in FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the apparatus of FIG. 5 in aclamped position that causes the conduit gripping device to be installedon the conduit end;

FIG. 12 is a sectioned perspective view of the apparatus shown in FIG.11;

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of an anvil and sensor assembly of theapparatus as shown in FIG. 11;

FIG. 14 is a sectioned perspective view of the anvil and sensor assemblyas shown in FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of a conduit sensor assembly of theanvil and sensor assembly as shown in FIG. 13;

FIG. 16 is a sectioned perspective view of the conduit sensor assemblyas shown in FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view of a conduit gripping device disposedaround a conduit in an apparatus for installing conduit gripping deviceson conduits of a second exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 17A is an enlarged portion of FIG. 17;

FIG. 18 is a sectioned perspective view of the apparatus as shown inFIG. 17;

FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view of the apparatus of FIG. 17 with theconduit in a bottomed position in an anvil of the apparatus;

FIG. 19A is an enlarged portion of FIG. 17;

FIG. 20 is a sectioned perspective view of the apparatus as shown inFIG. 19;

FIG. 21 is an illustration of a pre-installed fitting pre-assembly in agauge;

FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional view of a conduit gripping device disposedaround a conduit in an apparatus for installing conduit gripping deviceson conduits of another exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 23A is a sectional view of a ferrule-type fitting that is adaptedto provide a torque rise that is indicative of completed pull-up at anappropriate predetermined axial advance

FIG. 23B is an enlarged view showing the portion indicated in FIG. 23A;

FIG. 23C is a view similar to FIG. 23B showing the fitting in apulled-up position;

FIG. 24 is a flow chart illustrating a method of assembling a conduitgripping device on a conduit; and

FIG. 25 is an electrical diagram of a circuit for assembling a conduitgripping device on a conduit.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

While the inventions are described herein with specific reference to avariety of structural and material features, such descriptions areintended to be exemplary in nature and should not be construed in alimiting sense. For example, the exemplary embodiments are describedprimarily in terms of a stainless steel tube fitting utilizing twoferrules. Those skilled in the art, however, will readily appreciatethat any one or more of the aspects and features of the inventions maybe used with different mechanically attached connections for conduits,including but not limited to, other conduit gripping arrangements (e.g.,single ferrule designs) and flared conduit fittings, with materialsother than stainless steel, and with many different conduits including,but not limited to, tube or pipe. Moreover, many of the aspects of theinventions may be used for fittings intended for use in a variety ofsystem pressures and temperatures, and with a variety of system fluids.Still further, many of the exemplary embodiments herein illustratecomponents of what is commonly known as a male-style fitting, meaningthat a male (i.e. externally) threaded component receives and abuts theconduit end. Many aspects of the male-style embodiments will findapplication in female-style fittings as will be apparent to thoseskilled in the art. The inventions will also find application forfitting assemblies that do not require threaded connections between thefitting components, for example the inventions may be applied to clampedand/or bolted fittings. The inventions will also find application farbeyond the exemplary embodiments herein as to mechanically attachedconnections that can be made to a wide and ever expansive variety offluid components including, but not limited to, other conduits, flowcontrol devices, containers, manifolds and so on.

Many types of fitting arrangements may be used to provide a fittingconnection, including, for example, push-to-connect, tool-tightened(e.g., crimping or clamping), or threaded arrangements. Referring toFIG. 1A, an exemplary fitting assembly includes a conduit grippingdevice 12 positioned around a conduit 14. The illustrated conduitgripping device 12 includes a front ferrule 18 and a rear ferrule 20.However, the conduit gripping device 12 may take any form and mayinclude any number of ferrules when the conduit gripping device is aferrule-type conduit gripping device. The conduit gripping device 12 ispositioned between a drive surface 17 and a camming surface 30. Thedrive surface 17 and the camming surface 30 are moved relatively towardone another to engage the conduit gripping device 12 and drive theconduit gripping device into gripping and/or sealing engagement with theconduit by plastically deforming the conduit gripping device. Thisrelative axial movement is referred to herein as “stroke” or “axialstroke”.

The movement of the drive surface 17 toward the camming surface 30 willcause the conduit gripping device 12 to become attached to the conduit14. This attachment is referred to herein as installation orpre-installation. The amount of axial movement or stroke of the drivesurface 17 toward the camming surface 30 needed to attach the conduitgripping device 12 to the conduit 14 may be less than the amount ofaxial movement or stroke needed to cause the conduit gripping device toseal with the conduit. A conduit 14 with pre-installed conduit grippingdevice 12 may be assembled with a fitting body and nut such that theconduit gripping device grips and seals the conduit and seals with thefitting body to form a pulled-up fitting.

The attachment of the conduit gripping device 12 to the conduit 14 maybe achieved during a clamping operation, where a drive surface 17 isforced relatively toward the camming surface 30 or stroked by apre-installation apparatus. The pre-installation apparatus may include apre-installation drive surface 17 and/or camming surface 30 or the drivesurface 17 and/or the camming surface 30 may be the drive surface and/orcamming surface of a later pulled-up fitting assembly. Thepre-installation surface 17 may be moved linearly along the axis X, orthe preinstallation drive surface 17 may be rotated to axially advancethe pre-installation drive surface 17 along the axis (i.e. thepre-installation drive surface 17 may be part of a threaded member).

The present application relates to methods and apparatus for installinga conduit gripping device 12 on a conduit 14 and methods and apparatusfor evaluating one or more characteristics of a conduit gripping device12 installed or being installed on an end portion of a conduit 14. Theconduit gripping device 12 may be, for example, used with one or morecoupling members of an associated fitting. A wide variety ofcharacteristics of the conduit and/or conduit gripping device may beevaluated. Examples of characteristics of the conduit 14 and/or conduitgripping device that may be evaluated include, but are not limited to,the position of the conduit gripping device 12 on the conduit 14, anamount of compression or clamping of the conduit gripping device, anamount of rotation/axial advance of a threaded member, and an amount offorce and/or torque applied during the compression or clamping. Thecharacteristic(s) can be evaluated after the conduit gripping devicegrips the end of the conduit and/or can be evaluated during installationof the conduit gripping device on the end of the conduit.

In FIG. 1A, the position of the conduit gripping device 12 on theconduit 14 is represented by the dimension labeled CP. In theillustrated example, the conduit position CP is a relative distancebetween the conduit end 32 and the conduit gripping device 12(determined based on a relative distance between the conduit end and thecamming surface 30). The stroke of compression or clamping of theconduit gripping device 12 can be determined based on the position ofthe drive surface 17 relative to the camming surface 30. The position ofthe drive surface 17 relative to the camming surface 30 is representedby the dimension labeled S in FIG. 1A.

In an exemplary embodiment, the conduit position CP is evaluated todetermine whether the conduit is positioned within a predetermined rangeof acceptable conduit positions. This may be done for a variety ofdifferent reasons. For example, the conduit position CP may be evaluatedto confirm or ensure proper bottoming of the conduit 14 in a fittingbody. For example, the fitting body may have a stop shoulder 37 that theconduit abuts when the fitting is pulled-up and/or the fitting body mayhave a tapered surface 36 axially inward of the camming mouth that theconduit engages when the fitting is pulled-up (See FIG. 1B). The conduitis properly “bottomed” if the conduit engages the stop shoulder 37 orengages the tapered surface 36. FIG. 1B illustrates an example of asituation where the conduit end 32 has not reached an acceptableposition relative to the conduit gripping device 12. Since the conduitend 32 does not extend all the way through the conduit gripping device12, it does not “bottom” on the tapered surface, or the shoulder.

In an exemplary embodiment, the relative position S is evaluated todetermine whether the drive surface 17 is positioned within apredetermined range of acceptable positions with respect to the cammingsurface 30. This may be done for a variety of different reasons. Therelative position S may be evaluated to confirm or ensure propercompression of the conduit gripping device 12 on the conduit 14. In oneexemplary embodiment, a clamping force between the drive surface 17 andthe camming surface 30 is evaluated while the relative position S isevaluated. In another embodiment, a torque applied between a firstmember and a second member required to axially advance the drive surface17 relatively toward the camming surface 30 is evaluated while therelative position S is evaluated. The monitoring of the clamping forceand/or the torque required for axial advancement may be performed for avariety of different reasons. For example, by evaluating both theclamping force and/or torque and the relative position S, missingcomponents can be detected, too many components can be detected,incorrect component positioning can be detected, and incorrect componentorientation can be detected.

In FIG. 1C, the rear ferrule 20 is missing. This condition can bedetected by evaluating the clamping force and/or torque and the relativeposition S. The clamping force and/or torque required for further axialadvancement would be expected to rise (or be required to rise) at therelative position S where the front ferrule 18 and the rear ferrule 20are first engaged by the drive surface 17 and the camming surface 30.Since rear ferrule 20 is not present, the clamping force and/or torquewill not increase at the expected position S and the missing ferrulecondition is indicated. A missing front ferrule 18 can be detected inthe same manner.

Similarly, the condition where more than the prescribed number offerrules are present can be detected by evaluating the clamping forceand/or torque and the relative position S. The clamping force would beexpected to rise (or be required to rise) at the relative position Swhere the front ferrule 18 and the rear ferrule 20 are first engaged bythe drive surface 17 and the camming surface 30. Since an additionalferrule is present, the clamping force and/or torque will increaseearlier than the expected position S and the additional ferrulecondition is indicated.

In FIG. 1D, the front ferrule 18 is positioned behind the rear ferrule20. This condition can be detected by evaluating the clamping forceand/or torque and the relative position S. The clamping force and/ortorque would be expected to rise (or be required to rise) by apredetermined amount at the relative position S where the front ferrule18 and the rear ferrule 20 are first engaged by the drive surface 17 andthe camming surface 30. The clamping force and/or torque will increaseat a position S that is different than expected and/or by a differentamount than expected and the incorrect component positioning isindicated.

In FIG. 1E, the front ferrule 18 is oriented backwards. In FIG. 1F, therear ferrule 20 is oriented backwards. In FIG. 1G, both the front andrear ferrules are oriented backwards. Each of these conditions can bedetected by evaluating the clamping force and the relative position S.The clamping force would be expected to rise (or be required to rise) atthe relative position S where the front ferrule 18 and the rear ferrule20 are first engaged by the drive surface 17 and the camming surface 30.The clamping force will increase at a position S that is different thanexpected and/or by a different amount than expected and the incorrectcomponent orientation is indicated.

In some circumstances, the conduit gripping device, such as a ferrule orferrules, may be pre-installed or “pre-swaged” onto the conduit prior tofinal assembly of the fitting body with the conduit. The conduitgripping device may be “pre-installed” on a conduit by camming a portionor portions of the conduit gripping device into gripping engagement withthe conduit, creating a conduit, conduit gripping device and nut(optional) pre-assembly or subassembly that may be assembled with afitting body to form a final fitting. For example, the fitting may beassembled by tightening a fitting body and nut of the pre-assembly. Bypre-tightening or pre-installing the conduit gripping device on theconduit and optionally retaining the nut on the conduit with the conduitgripping device, the time and/or effort to assemble the final fitting ina fluid system may be reduced.

Pre-installation of the conduit gripping device on the conduit may, butneed not, include pre-camming a portion or portions of the conduitgripping device against the conduit and optionally retaining the nut onthe conduit with the conduit gripping device. The pre-camming isprovided by an axial stroke of a drive surface 17 relatively toward acamming surface 30 (i.e. a reduction of the dimension S in FIG. 1). Thedrive surface 17 and/or camming surface 30 may be the same surfaces of afinal fitting (i.e. a drive surface of a fitting nut and a cammingsurface of a fitting body), or one or both of the surfaces may be partof a pre-installation apparatus. The axial stroke provides a grippingforce of the conduit gripping device with the conduit 14. The axialstroke and gripping force is less than the axial stroke and resultinggripping force of the conduit gripping device in a finally assembledfitting. The pre-installation axial stroke and resulting gripping forceis sufficient to retain the conduit gripping device on the conduit as asubassembly. In such an arrangement, an additional axial stroke thatresults in additional gripping force may be applied to the conduitgripping device when the fitting body is assembled with the conduit andferrule sub-assembly. The fitting may be configured such that apredetermined amount of axial stroke of the drive surface 17 toward thecamming surface is sufficient for proper make-up of the fitting.

In one exemplary method, by “pre-installing” the conduit gripping devicewith a predetermined axial stroke between a drive surface 17 and acamming surface 30, proper subsequent make-up of a fitting may beachieved by tightening a fitting nut a predetermined number of turnsbeyond a finger tight position. In one exemplary embodiment, the fittingmay be configured to be pulled up by a first predetermined number ofturns if there is no “pre-installation” of the conduit gripping deviceonto the conduit and the fitting and the pre-installation assembly maybe configured such that the fitting is pulled up by a second, smaller,predetermined number of turns if the conduit gripping device is“pre-installed” onto the conduit. For example, a fitting may beconfigured to be pulled up by tightening the fitting nut with respect tothe fitting body 1¼ to 1½ turns past finger tight if there is nopre-installation of the conduit gripping device onto the conduit. The“pre-installation” may be configured such that, after the conduitgripping device is pre-installed onto the conduit, the fitting may bepulled up by tightening the fitting nut with respect to the fitting bodyby ½ turn. That is, the axial stroke of the drive surface 17 withrespect to the camming surface 30 during the pre-installation operationcorresponds the axial stroke achieved by rotating the fitting nut withrespect to the fitting body a predetermined number of turns. Forexample, when a fitting is normally (without pre-installation) pulled upby tightening 1¼ turns past finger tight and a correspondingpre-installed fitting is pulled up by tightening ½ turns past fingertight, the pre-installation operation is configured to compress theconduit gripping device substantially the same amount as the conduitgripping device would have normally been compressed by tightening anon-pre-installed fitting ¾ turns past finger tight.

This “pre-installation” of a conduit gripping device 12 to a conduit 14may be performed using fitting coupling components, such as a fittingbody and nut, assembled with the conduit and the conduit grippingdevice. One or both of the fitting body and nut used for pre-installingmay be the same fitting body and/or nut subsequently used with theconduit in a final fluid assembly. Alternatively, one or both of thefitting body and nut may be replaced by another fitting body and/or nutwhen the conduit is assembled in the fluid system. In other ferrulepre-installation arrangements, a tool or anvil may be used to“pre-install” a conduit gripping device onto a conduit. The anvil may beany type of member or assembly that includes a camming surface. Manydifferent types of tools may be used to “pre-install” a conduit grippingdevice onto a conduit, including, for example, electrical installationtools, pneumatic installation tools, hydraulic installation tools, andmanually operated installation tools. One such exemplary installationtool includes a clamping device that axially compresses or strokes theconduit gripping device against a camming surface 30 to radiallycompress at least a portion of the conduit gripping device to“pre-install” the conduit gripping device to grip the conduit at adesired axial position of the conduit 14. Another exemplary installationtool is configured to rotate a threaded fitting body, fitting nut,and/or anvil to axially compress or stroke at least a portion of theconduit gripping device against a camming surface to radially compressat least a portion of the conduit gripping device to “pre-install” theconduit gripping device to grip the conduit at a desired axial positionof the conduit 14.

The installation tool may be provided in many different configurationsfor “pre-installing” a conduit gripping device (e.g., a ferrule orferrules) onto a conduit, including, for example, a clamping arrangementwith first and second clamping members that move axially toward oneanother without substantial relative rotation, compressing arrangementswith radially inward clamping member(s) that radially compress theconduit gripping device without substantial axial movement of theclamping member(s), or threaded arrangements with first and secondclamping members that rotate to move axially toward one another. In oneembodiment, the installation tool may be provided with threaded portionsand internal surface geometries configured to “install” a conduitgripping device onto a conduit. As described herein, threaded componentsmay include, for example, the body and nut of a fitting or the bodyportion and an anvil of an installation tool. However, it should benoted that many of the inventive aspects described herein may also beapplied to other installation processes for conduit gripping devicesinvolving, for example, clamping or compressing components (as opposedto threaded components), and hydraulic, pneumatic, or electricinstallation apparatus, other manual installation apparatus, orcompressing of a conduit gripping device by pull-up of a fitting.

The present application contemplates evaluation, verification, orinspection of the axial position of an installed conduit gripping deviceon a conduit, whether the conduit gripping device is installed on theconduit during final assembly of the associated fitting or in a“pre-installation” operation prior to subsequent fitting assembly. Theevaluation, verification, or inspection may occur after the assembly orpre-assembly is complete, and/or the evaluation, inspection, orverification may be performed while the conduit gripping device is being“swaged” or “pre-installed” onto the conduit. A variety of axialpositions of an installed conduit gripping device may be desired for avariety of reasons. In one embodiment, the installed conduit grippingdevice is positioned such that the end of the conduit abuts or bottomsagainst a shoulder and/or engages a tapered surface in the fitting bodyduring fitting installation. According to an inventive aspect of thepresent application, an apparatus may be provided for evaluating theaxial position of the installed or pre-installed conduit gripping deviceon the conduit end (after the installation or pre-installation and/orduring the installation or pre-installation), for example, to verifythat the conduit end was or will be bottomed in the fitting body.

Embodiments of methods and apparatus for installing conduit grippingdevices onto a conduit will be described herein in an exemplary mannerfor causing two ferrules of a conventional conduit fitting to grip aconduit end at a desired axial location. However, this is for purposesof illustration and explanation and should not be construed in alimiting sense. Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate thatthe installation methods and apparatus described herein can be used topre-install single ferrules onto conduit ends, and further can be usedto pre-install ferrules onto cylindrical members other than just conduitends, among them being cylindrical members such as tubing extensions onflow control devices to name one example. Further, the pre-installationoperation may take place at the site where final assembly with a fittingbody occurs or the pre-installation operation may take place at a firstsite to form a pre-assembly that includes a conduit, conduit grippingdevice, and nut that is transported to a second site where thepre-assembly is assembled with a fitting body.

While various inventive aspects, concepts and features of the inventionsmay be described and illustrated herein as embodied in combination inthe exemplary embodiments, these various aspects, concepts and featuresmay be used in many alternative embodiments, either individually or invarious combinations and sub-combinations thereof. Unless expresslyexcluded herein all such combinations and sub-combinations are intendedto be within the scope of the present inventions. Still further, whilevarious alternative embodiments as to the various aspects, concepts andfeatures of the inventions—such as alternative materials, structures,configurations, methods, circuits, devices and components, software,hardware, control logic, alternatives as to form, fit and function, andso on—may be described herein, such descriptions are not intended to bea complete or exhaustive list of available alternative embodiments,whether presently known or later developed. Those skilled in the art mayreadily adopt one or more of the inventive aspects, concepts or featuresinto additional embodiments and uses within the scope of the presentinventions even if such embodiments are not expressly disclosed herein.Additionally, even though some features, concepts or aspects of theinventions may be described herein as being a preferred arrangement ormethod, such description is not intended to suggest that such feature isrequired or necessary unless expressly so stated. Still further,exemplary or representative values and ranges may be included to assistin understanding the present disclosure, however, such values and rangesare not to be construed in a limiting sense and are intended to becritical values or ranges only if so expressly stated. Moreover, whilevarious aspects, features and concepts may be expressly identifiedherein as being inventive or forming part of an invention, suchidentification is not intended to be exclusive, but rather there may beinventive aspects, concepts and features that are fully described hereinwithout being expressly identified as such or as part of a specificinvention, the inventions instead being set forth in the appendedclaims. Descriptions of exemplary methods or processes are not limitedto inclusion of all steps as being required in all cases, nor is theorder that the steps are presented to be construed as required ornecessary unless expressly so stated.

FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic view of an apparatus 20 for evaluatingthe axial position of a conduit gripping device 12 (e.g., ferrules 15,15′) installed on a conduit 14. The apparatus 20 may conveniently berealized in the form of a tool, such as a hand-held tool. When theapparatus is configured as a hand-held tool, the apparatus is portableand may be used at a wide variety of different locations to evaluatefitting characteristics.

The apparatus 20 may include a conduit end accepting portion 21 havingone or more conduit gripping device engaging features 25 configured toengage a portion of the conduit gripping device 12 to limit axialmovement of the conduit gripping device and attached conduit 14 withrespect to the conduit end accepting portion 21. The conduit endaccepting portion 21 may be provided with many different structures orarrangements shaped to accommodate a conduit end, including, forexample, a bore, recess, or planar wall. Likewise, the conduit grippingdevice engaging feature 25 may be provided in many differentconfigurations, including, for example, a ridge, shoulder, orprojection. In one embodiment, a conduit end accepting portion includesa bore 27 sized to receive an end of the conduit 14 and a cammingsurface 30 extends from the bore 27. The camming surface 30 may functionas the schematically illustrated conduit gripping device engagingfeature 25.

The exemplary apparatus 20 may include a conduit position referencefeature, shown schematically at 22. According to an inventive aspect ofthe present application, the conduit position reference feature 22 maybe positioned such that an axial distance (or range of distances)defined between the conduit gripping device engaging feature 25 and theconduit position reference feature 22 corresponds to a distance (orrange of distances) between a desired axial position of the conduitgripping device 12 and a reference position (for example, a markedposition or an end face 11) of the conduit 14. This axial distance orrange of distances may correspond to acceptable conduit positiondimensions CP (see FIG. 1). As a result, when the assembly of theconduit 14 and conduit gripping device 12 is positioned such that theconduit gripping device engages the conduit gripping device engagingfeature 25, as shown in FIG. 2, alignment of the conduit end face 11 (orother predetermined reference point of the conduit) with the conduitposition reference feature 22 is an indication that the conduit grippingdevice 12 was installed in a desired axial position on the conduit. Ifthe conduit end face 11 (or other predetermined reference point of theconduit) does not align with the conduit position reference feature 22upon engagement of the conduit gripping device 12 with the conduitgripping device engaging feature 25, the misalignment is an indicationthat the conduit gripping device 12 is not in a desired axial positionon the conduit. As used herein, “alignment” of the conduit end face 11with the conduit position reference feature 22 may include, for example,abutment against or contact with the position reference feature, avisible overlap with the position reference feature, or obscuring of theposition reference feature. The position reference feature may take awide variety of different forms. For example, the position referencefeature may include a stop shoulder, a tapered surface, and may be fixedor moveable between a predetermined range of positions. In one exemplaryembodiment, the apparatus 20 is a unitary structure that includes boththe gripping device engaging feature 25 and the position referencefeature 22.

The position reference feature 22 may be provided in many differentconfigurations, and may provide for many different types of evaluation,verification, or inspection of axial position of the conduit grippingdevice 12. As one example, the position reference feature 22 may includea visible marking, projection or other such feature that provides avisible indication of the axial position of the conduit gripping device12 relative to the conduit end face 11. In this example, the positionreference feature 22 and the conduit end face may both be visible to theuser, allowing the user to visually determine whether or not the axialposition CP (see FIG. 1) of the conduit 14 relative to the conduitgripping device 12 is a desired predetermined position. In one example,an aperture (e.g., a hole, slot, or cut-out) may be provided in theapparatus through which the conduit end face 11 and position referencefeature 22 may be viewed to provide a visible indication of the axialposition of the conduit gripping device 12 relative to the conduit endface 11.

As another example, the position reference feature 22 may include aprojection, abutment or other surface feature that provides a tactileindication of the axial position of the conduit gripping device 12relative to the conduit end face 11. In this example, the positionreference feature may contact the conduit to allow the user to feelwhether or not the axial position CP (see FIG. 1) of the conduit 14relative to the conduit gripping device 12 is a desired predeterminedposition. For example, the position reference feature 22 may include a“no-go” pin that is prevented from full insertion in an opening in theapparatus when the conduit gripping device 12 is installed in thedesired axial position. As still another example, a position referencefeature 22 may include a slidable or rotatable stop collar assembledwith the apparatus 20, such that the conduit end face 11 abuts the stopcollar when the conduit gripping device 12 is installed in the desiredaxial position (or within an acceptable range of positions), impedingmovement of the stop collar to indicate positioning of the conduit endat the desired axial position (or range of positions).

As still another example, the position reference feature 22 may includea mechanical or electrical gauging mechanism, such as, for example, amicrometer gauge, a spring-loaded dial gauge, an electrical switch,sensor, or other such electrical mechanism that generates an electricalsignal to provide an indication of the axial position of the conduitgripping device 12 relative to the conduit end face 11 (e.g., when theconduit end face 11 contacts the electrical mechanism). In theseexamples, the position reference feature 22 is configured to sense theposition of the conduit end face 11 and provide an output that indicatesto the user whether or not the axial position CP (see FIG. 1) of theconduit 14 relative to the conduit gripping device 12 is a desiredpredetermined position. The position reference feature 22 may beconfigured to generate an electrical signal that indicates the axialposition of the conduit gripping device 12 with respect to the conduitend face 11. An electronic interface of the position reference feature22 may provide a visible or audible indication of the axial positionbased on the electrical signal.

FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate an exemplary embodiment of a fitting assemblyevaluation apparatus 40 for evaluating the axial position of a conduitgripping device 12, such as ferrules 35, 35′, installed on a conduit 14(see FIG. 2B). The fitting assembly evaluation apparatus may be used toverify that the ferrules are properly pre-installed on the conduit. Forexample, the apparatus may be used to determine whether the distancebetween the drive surface 17 and the camming surface 30 is within anacceptable range and/or whether the position of the conduit grippingdevice 12 on the conduit is within an acceptable range (See FIG. 1A). Asshown, the apparatus 40 includes a conduit end accepting portion 41 thatdefines a bore 43 in which the conduit end 14 may be inserted. At anouter end of the bore 43, a conduit gripping device engaging portion 45of the apparatus 40 is positioned to engage the conduit gripping device12 (for example, ferrules 35, 35′) when the conduit end is inserted inthe bore 43. As shown, the conduit gripping device engaging portion 45may be tapered to accommodate (e.g., to prevent marring of) the conduitgripping device 12. In one example, the tapered surface may match orotherwise accommodate an outer profile of the conduit gripping device(e.g., a tapered outer surface of a front ferrule 35). In some fittingassemblies, the installed conduit gripping device may experience someelastic relaxation or “spring-back” upon loosening the assembled fittingor installation apparatus. Accordingly, the depth of the bore 43 and thecontour of the conduit gripping device engaging portion 45 may beconfigured to allow the conduit gripping device 12 to be forced backinto an axial position of pre-determined gripping engagement (i.e.either a fully swaged or installed position—the position of the ferrulescorresponding to an initial pull-up or a pre-installation position—theposition of the ferrules corresponding to a pre-installation operation)with the conduit 14. The apparatus may be used to check for proper axialstroke of the drive surface 17 relative to the camming surface 30 afterthe pre-installation process.

The conduit end accepting portion 41 may be sized to accommodate afitting coupling member 32 (e.g., a female threaded fitting nut) thatremains captive on the conduit 14 upon installation of the conduitgripping device 12 on the conduit. For example, the outer diameter ofthe conduit end accepting portion 41 may be sized such that the open endof a female threaded fitting nut 32 fits over the conduit end acceptingportion 41.

To verify the axial position of the conduit gripping device 12 on theconduit 14 (for example, with respect to the conduit end face), aposition reference feature 22 may be positioned such that the axialdistance (CP in FIG. 1) between the conduit gripping device engagingportion 25 and the position reference feature 22 corresponds to theaxial distance (or range of acceptable distances) between a correctlyinstalled conduit gripping device 12 and the conduit end face 31.

As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, a position reference feature 22 may includea radially extending base portion 42 of the apparatus 40. The baseportion 42 is positioned such that when the conduit 14 is inserted inthe bore 43 and the conduit gripping device 12 engages the conduitgripping device engaging portion 45, abutment of the conduit end face 31with the base portion 42 or positioning of the conduit end face within apredetermined distance of the base portion 42 provides an indicationthat the conduit gripping device 12 has been installed on the conduit 14in a desired axial position (e.g., a position consistent with bottomingof the conduit end 14 in a fitting body). To facilitate visualverification of the position of the conduit end face 31 with respect tothe base portion 42, one or more inspection apertures may be provided inthe apparatus. For example, as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, one or both ofa wedge shaped slice 47 and a radially extending hole 48 may be providedin the apparatus 40 to intersect the bore 43 for visual verification ofthe position of the conduit end face 31 with respect to the base portion42. While the exemplary wedge-shaped slice 47 extends approximately 90°around the circumference of the apparatus 40, different sized slices maybe utilized.

In an embodiment where the apparatus is used to confirm proper axialstroke and/or conduit position during the pre-installation process, aslice 47 will typically not be included. Rather, the hole 48 may beincluded for visual confirmation of the positioning of the conduitbefore the clamping of the pre-installation operation begins. Thisallows for a camming surface that extends completely around a perimeterof the apparatus.

According to another inventive aspect of the present application, afitting assembly evaluation apparatus may additionally or alternativelybe provided for evaluating an amount of axial compression of the conduitgripping device 12 (i.e. the reduction of the dimension S of FIG. 1)during installation of a conduit gripping device on a conduit end. Inmany fitting assemblies, as the conduit gripping device (e.g., ferruleor ferrules) is plastically deformed on the conduit during pull-up, theaxial position of the fitting coupling member being tightened (e.g., afitting nut and/or fitting body) with respect to the conduit grippingdevice changes. As such, an amount of axial stroke may be verified byinspecting the axial position of the fitting coupling member withrespect to the conduit gripping device.

A fitting assembly evaluation apparatus may also be utilized to evaluatean amount of axial stroke of a fitting coupling member duringinstallation of a conduit gripping device on a conduit. This may be doneconcurrently with the installation and/or after the fitting assembly orinstallation apparatus has been separated from the conduit grippingdevice. In one such embodiment, the amount of axial advance or strokemay be gauged without threading the coupling member onto a matingcoupling component. FIG. 3 illustrates a schematic view of a apparatus60 for monitoring fitting member axial stroke during (i.e. while theconduit gripping device is being axially compressed by the drive surface17 and the camming surface 17) installation of a conduit gripping device(e.g., ferrules 55, 55′) on a conduit 50 or for confirming fittingmember axial stroke after (i.e. after the pre-installation clampingoperation) installation of the conduit gripping device on the conduit.The apparatus 60 includes a conduit end accepting portion 61 having oneor more conduit gripping device engaging features 65 configured toengage a portion of the conduit gripping device 12 (for example,ferrules 55, 55′) to limit axial movement of the conduit gripping device12 with respect to the conduit end accepting portion 61. The conduit endaccepting portion 61 may be provided with many different structures orarrangements shaped to accommodate a conduit end, including, forexample, a bore, recess, or planar wall. Likewise, the conduit grippingdevice engaging feature 65 may be provided in many differentconfigurations, including, for example, a ridge, shoulder, orprojection. In one embodiment, a conduit end accepting portion includesa bore sized to receive a conduit end, with an outer end of the boreincluding an edge or surface that functions as a conduit gripping deviceengaging feature. As shown, the apparatus 60 may be configured toaccommodate a fitting coupling member 52 (e.g., a female threadedfitting nut) engaged with the conduit gripping device 12.

The exemplary apparatus 60 also includes an installation inspectionfeature, shown schematically at 66. According to an inventive aspect ofthe present application, the inspection feature 66 may be positionedsuch that an axial distance (or range of distances) between the conduitgripping device engaging feature 65 and the axial advance or strokeinspection feature 66 corresponds to a distance (or range of acceptabledistances) between an axial position of the conduit gripping device 12and a reference portion 53 (e.g., a leading end) of a coupling member 52engaged with the conduit gripping device 12 when the coupling member hasbeen axially advanced or stroked to a predetermined position duringinstallation of the conduit gripping device 12. As a result, when theconduit 50 is positioned to engage the conduit gripping device 12 withthe fitting engaging feature 65, as shown in FIG. 3, the coupling memberleading end 53 aligns with the axial advance or stroke inspectionfeature 66 to provide an indication that the coupling member was axiallyadvanced a predetermined amount during installation of the conduitgripping device 12 on the conduit 50. If the coupling member leading end53 does not align with the axial advance or stroke inspection feature 66upon engagement of the conduit gripping device 12 with the fittingengaging feature 65, an indication that the predetermined axial advanceor stroke is not correct is provided. As used herein, “alignment” of thecoupling member leading end 53 with the axial advance or strokeinspection feature 66 may include, for example, abutment against orcontact with the axial advance inspection feature, a visible overlapwith the axial advance or stroke inspection feature, or obscuring of theaxial advance or stroke inspection feature.

The axial advance evaluation feature 66 may be provided in manydifferent configurations, and may provide for many different types ofverification of axial position of the coupling member 52 relative to theconduit gripping device 12. As one example, the axial advance evaluationfeature 66 may include a visible marking, projection or other suchfeature that provides a visible indication of the axial position of thecoupling member 52 relative to the conduit gripping device 12. Asanother example, the axial advance or stroke evaluation feature 66 mayinclude a projection, abutment or other surface feature that provides atactile indication of the axial position of the coupling member 52relative to the conduit gripping device 12. As still another example,the axial advance or stroke inspection feature 66 may include amechanical or electrical gauging mechanism, such as, for example, amicrometer gauge, a spring-loaded dial gauge, an electrical switch,sensor, or other such electrical mechanism that generates an electricalsignal to provide an indication of the axial position of the couplingmember 52 relative to the conduit gripping device 12 (e.g., when thecoupling member 52 contacts the electrical mechanism 66).

FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a fitting assemblyevaluation apparatus 80 for verifying an amount of axial advance orstroke of a fitting coupling member after installation (i.e. after aclamping operation where the conduit gripping device is compressed byaxial advance of the drive surface 17 relatively toward the cammingsurface 30) or during installation (i.e. during the clamping operation)of a conduit gripping device 12 (e.g., ferrules 75, 75′) on a conduit70. As shown, the apparatus 80 includes a conduit end accepting portion81 that defines a bore 83 in which the conduit end 70 may be inserted.At an outer end of the bore 83, a conduit gripping device engagingportion 85 of the apparatus 80 is positioned to engage the conduitgripping device 12 when the conduit end 70 is inserted in the bore 83.As shown, the conduit gripping device engaging portion 85 may be taperedto accommodate (e.g., to prevent marring of) the conduit gripping deviceand/or to act as the camming surface for pre-installing the conduitgripping device onto the conduit. In one example, the tapered surface ofthe engaging portion 85 may accommodate an outer profile of the conduitgripping device 12 (e.g., a tapered outer surface of a front ferrule75). In some fitting assemblies, the installed conduit gripping devicemay experience some elastic relaxation or “spring-back” upon spreadingapart of the drive surface and camming surface of the assembled fittingor installation apparatus. Accordingly, the position of the bore 83 andthe contour of the fitting engaging portion 85 may be configured toallow the conduit gripping device to be forced back into an axialposition of full previous gripping engagement with the conduit. Further,the conduit end accepting portion 81 is sized to accommodate a fittingcoupling member 72 (e.g., a female threaded fitting nut) that remainscaptive on the conduit 70 upon installation of the conduit grippingdevice 12 on the conduit. In the illustrated embodiment, the outerdiameter of the conduit end accepting portion 81 may be sized such thatthe open leading end 73 of the coupling member 72 fits over the conduitend accepting portion 81.

An axial advance or stroke inspection feature 89 is included to evaluatewhether the fitting coupling member is axially advanced or stroked bythe predetermined amount during installation of the conduit grippingdevice 12 on the conduit 70 (by gauging the axial position of thecoupling member with respect to the conduit gripping device). The axialadvance or stroke inspection feature 89 comprises a radially extendingshoulder in FIG. 4. The axial advance inspection feature 89 may bepositioned such that the leading end of the coupling member 72 is inengagement with or is within a predetermined distance of the inspectionfeature when a conduit gripping device has been axially compressed apredetermined distance or within a predetermined range of distances.

As shown in FIG. 4, the apparatus 80 may, but need not, also beconfigured to allow for verification of the axial position of a conduitgripping device installed on the conduit, consistent with the apparatus40 of FIG. 2. As such, the apparatus 80 may include a position referencefeature (such as, for example, a radially extending base portion 82)positioned such that when the conduit is inserted in the bore 83 toengage the conduit gripping device with the fitting engaging portion 85of the apparatus 80, abutment of the conduit end face 71 with the baseportion 82 or positioning of the conduit end face 71 within apredetermined distance from the base portion provides an indication thatthe conduit gripping device has been installed on the conduit in adesired axial position (e.g., a position consistent with bottoming ofthe conduit end in a fitting body). To facilitate visual verification ofthe position of the conduit end face with respect to the base portion82, one or more evaluation apertures may be provided in the apparatus80. For example, one or both of a wedge shaped slice (not shown) and aradially extending hole 88 may be provided in the apparatus 80 tointersect the bore 83 for visual verification of the position of theconduit end face with respect to the base portion 82.

FIGS. 5-16 illustrate an exemplary embodiment of an apparatus 510 forpre-installing a conduit gripping device 512 onto an outer wall 516 of aconduit 514 where a position of a drive surface 517 and/or a position ofan end 532 of the conduit is sensed during the pre-installation. In theexample illustrated by FIGS. 5-16, the drive surface 517 is the drivesurface of a fitting nut 522. A such, the position of the drive surface517 may be sensed by sensing the position of the fitting nut 522. In oneexemplary embodiment, the position of the fitting nut 522 and/or theposition of the conduit end 532 relative to a camming surface 530 forpre-installing the conduit gripping device 512 is sensed. In the exampleillustrated by FIGS. 5-16, the camming surface 530 is a surface of ananvil 526. These positions may be sensed by a nut position sensor 550and a conduit end position sensor 552. Referring to FIG. 5, the conduitgripping device 512 includes a front ferrule 518, and a rear ferrule520. However, as is noted above, the conduit gripping device 512 cantake a wide variety of different forms. The conduit gripping device 512can be any arrangement that grips a conduit 514 and facilitates fluidtight sealing with a fitting body (see FIG. 23A, ref. no. 2312). In theillustrated embodiment, the fitting nut 522 is disposed around theconduit 514 and the conduit gripping device 512. The fitting nut 522facilitates assembly of the conduit gripping device 512 and the conduit514 with a fitting body as is well known in the art. The illustratedfitting nut 522 is a female threaded nut with internal threads, butcould also be a male threaded nut with external threads.

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 11, the apparatus 510 includes the anvil 526and a clamping device 528. The anvil 526 can take a wide variety ofdifferent forms and can be used with or without the nut position sensor550 and/or the conduit end position sensor 552. For example, the anvil526 can take any configuration that forces at least a portion of theconduit gripping device 512 radially inward to retain the conduitgripping device 512 on the conduit. The anvil 526 may be any member orassembly that includes a camming mouth or surface. In an exemplaryembodiment, the anvil 526 is configured such that after the conduitgripping device 512 is retained on the conduit 514, the conduit grippingdevice 512 can be assembled with a fitting body (not shown) and beforced further radially inward such that the conduit gripping devicegrips and seals the conduit and forms a seal with the fitting body.Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, the illustrated anvil 526 includes afrusto-conical camming mouth 530 that forms a camming angle with respectto a longitudinal axis X (See FIG. 5) of the conduit 514. In anexemplary embodiment, the angle that the camming mouth 530 forms withrespect to the longitudinal axis X is the same angle that a cammingmouth of a fitting body (not shown) will form with respect to theconduit when the conduit gripping device 512 is assembled with thefitting body. However, in other embodiments, the camming mouth 530 maybe formed at a different angle than the camming mouth of the fittingbody that the conduit gripping device will be assembled in.

In one exemplary embodiment, the anvil 526 is optionally configured tocontrol the stroke of the nut 522 during the clamping operation of theapparatus 510. Referring to FIGS. 5 and 11, the stroke is the axialdistance the nut 522 moves toward the anvil 526 as the nut drives therear ferrule 520, which drives the front ferrule 518 into the cammingmouth 530.

In many applications, proper assembly of conduit fittings is ensured bycontrolling axial advancement of the nut toward the fitting body. Thiscan be done in a variety of different ways. For example, a fitting thathas not been pre-installed onto the conduit by the apparatus of thepresent application or by another pre-installing apparatus can beinstalled on a conduit and the nut is tightened to a finger tightposition. Then, the nut is tightened a specified number of turns (oneand a half turns, for example) to axially advance the nut a controlleddistance and ensure proper pull-up of the fitting (i.e. to ensure propergripping and sealing of the conduit gripping device with the conduit andproper sealing of the conduit gripping device with the fitting body,typically at the camming mouth 30). However, when the conduit grippingdevice 512 is pre-installed or on the conduit 514, the axial advanceneeded to properly pull-up the fitting is less than the axial advance ofthe nut that is needed when the conduit gripping device is notpre-installed on the conduit. In the embodiment illustrated by FIGS. 5and 6, the anvil 526 includes a stop surface 534 that controls thestroke of the nut during clamping by the apparatus 510, for example byengaging the nut at the appropriate stroke. This engagement controls theamount of compression of the conduit gripping device. The position ofthe stop surface 534 may be set at any predetermined position such thatafter the conduit gripping device 512 is installed by the apparatus 510,a predetermined additional axial advance needed to properly pull-up thefitting is set. For example, the position of the stop surface 534 may beset such that when the pre-installed conduit gripping device 512 isinstalled in a fitting body, the nut is assembled to a finger tightposition and then rotated a prescribed number of turns (½ turn forexample) to properly pull-up the fitting. Alternatively, the position ofthe stop surface 534 may be set such that when the pre-installed conduitgripping device 512 is installed in a fitting body a predeterminedtorque (which may be a discrete value or range of torque values toaccount for tolerances in torque application tools) may be applied toproperly pull up the fitting.

Other manners in which the axial advance of the nut with respect to thefitting body can be controlled are providing the fitting with a positivestop or a torque rise at a predetermined axial advance. Examples of waysa fitting may provide a positive stop include, but are not limited to,configuring the nut to engage the fitting body or engage a stop ringassembled with the fitting body at the predetermined axial advance.Examples of ways a fitting may provide a torque rise include, but arenot limited to, configuring the nut to engage the fitting body at thepredetermined axial advance, configuring the nut to engage a stop ringassembled with the fitting body at the predetermined axial advance,providing inclined surfaces that are engaged at the predetermined axialadvance, configuring the nut to engage a stop ring that has one or moreinclined surfaces that is assembled with the fitting body at apredetermined axial advance, providing a member that is elastically orplastically deformed at the predetermined axial advance. The structuresdisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,066,496, for FITTING WITH SEPARABLEGRIPPING DEVICE FOR PIPE AND TUBE, U.S. Pat. No. 7,497,483 for FITTINGFOR TUBE AND PIPE WITH CARTRIDGE, United States Patent ApplicationPublication Pub. No.: 2009/0289452 for PULL-UP BY TORQUE FITTING, WorldIntellectual Property Organization International Publication Number WO2009/020900 A2, U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/154,144filed on Feb. 20, 2009, for CONDUIT FITTING WITH TORQUE COLLAR, U.S.provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/154,139 filed on Feb. 20,2009, for CONDUIT FITTING WITH GROOVED TORQUE COLLAR, U.S. provisionalpatent application Ser. No. 61/154,136 filed on Feb. 20, 2009, forCONDUIT FITTING WITH SPLIT TORQUE COLLAR, U.S. patent application Ser.No. 12/709,084 filed on Feb. 19, 2010, for CONDUIT FITTING WITH TORQUECOLLAR, International application no. PCT/US10/24767 filed on Feb. 19,2010 for CONDUIT FITTING WITH TORQUE COLLAR, and Internationalapplication no. PCT/US10/24770 filed on Feb. 19, 2010 for CONDUITFITTING WITH SPLIT TORQUE COLLAR are adapted to control axial advance ofa nut with respect to a fitting body or may be adapted to control axialadvance of a nut with respect to a fitting body, and are all fullyincorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

FIGS. 23A-23C illustrate one of the many ways a fitting may be adaptedto provide a torque rise that is indicative of completed pull-up at anappropriate predetermined axial advance. In one embodiment, a torquecollar 2340 may be included with a fitting 2310 to facilitate pull up bytorque. The torque collar 2340 may be realized for example, in the formof an annular ring-like body 2342.

The torque collar 2340 concept works in part because the torque collarachieves two interrelated effects. First, during pull up and/or after adesired amount of axial displacement or stroke of the nut relative tothe body, the torque collar 2340 will come into contact with the nut522, thus establishing a known axial displacement or stroke of the nut522 relative to a fitting body 2312 past the finger-tight position. Asis explained above, the finger tight position may be the position wherethe nut 522 first begins compressive engagement of the conduit grippingdevice 512 after pre-installation on a conduit 514. Alternatively, thefinger tight position may be the position where the nut 522 first beginscompressive engagement of the conduit gripping device 512 that has notbeen pre-installed on a conduit. Second, the torque collar 2340 willeffect a significant and perceptible increase in pull up torque when thenut 522 has advanced sufficiently to assure that the fitting 2310 hasbeen completely pulled up. This torque increase will be sensed as adistinct and optionally sharp rise in torque needed to further turn thenut 522 relative to the body 2312. Stated another way, the assemblerwill feel or sense a significant increase in resistance of the nut 522to turning relative to the body 2312. There will be a distinct limitingof the stroke of the nut 522 accompanied by a readily apparent increasein torque that would be needed to try to further advance the nut. Thisdistinct rise in torque will be preferably greater than the usualincrease in torque that naturally occurs as a fitting is tightened toits final completed pulled up position, but in any event will beaccompanied by a limiting of the nut stroke.

As is described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/709,084 filed onFeb. 19, 2010, for CONDUIT FITTING WITH TORQUE COLLAR, Internationalapplication no. PCT/US10/24767 filed on Feb. 19, 2010 for CONDUITFITTING WITH TORQUE COLLAR, and International application no.PCT/US10/24770 filed on Feb. 19, 2010 for CONDUIT FITTING WITH SPLITTORQUE COLLAR the fitting may be pulled up or pulled up and remade oneor more times before the toque collar 2340 is engaged to provide afurther torque rise. For example, the fitting may be pulled up by turnswith a space or gap remaining between the torque collar and the fittingbody and/or a gap remaining between the torque collar and the nut. Oneor more additional remakes by turns or by applying a predeterminedtorque may be possible before the torque collar is engaged. Further, thefitting may be pulled up by torque with a space or gap remaining betweenthe torque collar and the fitting body and/or a gap remaining betweenthe torque collar and the nut. One or more additional remakes by turnsor by applying a predetermined torque may be possible before the torquecollar is engaged. The torque collar 2340 may be integral with thefitting body and/or the nut or the torque collar may be separate.Details of this embodiment are disclosed in the applications referred toabove that were filed on Feb. 19, 2010, and is therefore not repeatedhere.

The illustrated torque collar 2340 also includes a wedge surface 2348that contacts a nut taper surface 2350 at the open end of the nut 522.The wedge surface 2350 may be, for example, a frusto-conical surfacealthough other shapes and profiles may be used as needed. The nut tapersurface 2350 may also be frusto-conical or any other shape as needed. Asviewed in cross-section, the wedge surface 2348 may be formed at anangle α relative to the central axis X (FIG. 23B) of the torque collar2340. As viewed in cross-section, the nut taper surface 2350 may beformed at an angle β relative to the central longitudinal axis of thenut, which in the case of most fittings is also the axis X.

As evident from FIGS. 23A and 23B, when the fitting 2310 is in thefinger-tight position, the nut taper surface 2350 is axially spaced fromthe wedge surface 2348, and after a completed pull up, the nut tapersurface 2350 is axially pressed against the wedge surface 2348. We referto the torque collar surface 2348 as a wedge surface because thatsurface acts to significantly resist axial advance of the nut after thenut taper surface 2350 first makes contact with the wedge surface 2348.This contact produces a distinct and optionally sharp increase in torquethat can be either sensed by the assembler or that will allow a torquewrench to be used to make up the fitting 2310. The angles α and β may bebut need not be the same. We have found that an angle α of about 45degrees works particularly well, but many different angle values may beused. As the angle α approaches ninety degrees, the torque collar 2340basically acts as a positive stop. While this is acceptable for aninitial pull up by torque, it does not allow for remakes, especially anumber of remakes of about twenty-five or more. As the angle αapproaches zero, the torque collar 2340 will present less and lessresistance to axial advancement of the nut 522 relative to the body andtherefore might not present a distinct enough limit on the stroke of thenut with increasing torque. However, depending on the material of thetorque collar 2340 and the surface 2348 hardness and friction (similarlyfor the nut taper surface 2350), shallow angles as low as ten degreesmay work fine in many applications. The upper bound on the angle α willalso depend on the desired number of remakes and the amount of torqueincrease that is desired, but angle values for α may be as high asseventy-five degrees or more depending on the overall requiredperformance.

The nut taper surface 2350 will initially contact the wedge surface 2348as the fitting 2310 is pulled up. Further advance of the nut 522relative to the body 2312 will cause the forward portion 2356 of thetorque collar 2340 to enter the frusto-conical recess defined by the nuttaper surface 2350 with tighter and tighter engagement between the wedgesurface 2348 and the nut taper surface 2350. This will result in adistinct and significant increase in torque compared to the torque thatwould otherwise be noted for the same nut stroke if the torque collar2340 were not present. The torque collar 2340 and the nut 522 cooperateduring pull up to produce a distinct and perceptible increasing torqueto a torque value that will correspond with proper make up of thefitting 2310. In other words, the torque collar 2340 and the nut 522 aredesigned to produce a distinct torque value due to the increasing loadbetween the nut 522 and the torque collar 2340 that corresponds to adesired or needed axial displacement or stroke of the nut 522 relativeto the body to effect proper conduit grip and seal for a completely madeup fitting.

As illustrated in FIG. 23C, this cooperation between the torque collar2340 and the nut 522 may result in significant surface to surfacecontact and load between the wedge surface 2348 and the nut tapersurface 2350, but this drawing is only intended to be exemplary. Theactual amount of contact for initial pull up as well as one or moreremakes will be determined by overall design criteria for the fitting2310.

As illustrated in FIG. 23C, upon complete pull up, the front ferrule 518has been radially compressed by the body camming surface 2330 to form afluid-tight seal against the camming surface 2330 and against theconduit 514. A forward portion of the back ferrule 20 has also beenradially compressed so that the back ferrule preferably bites into theconduit 514 to form the shoulder S (see FIG. 23C). However, theinventions herein may be used with fitting designs in which the backferrule does not necessarily bite into the conduit.

Another aspect of the torque collar 2340 is to allow remakes of thefitting 2310. This is accomplished by designing the torque collar 2340to allow further axial advance of the nut 522 relative to the body 2312for each remake, relative to the axial position of the nut 522 relativeto the body 2312 for the just prior remake. For example, assume thatFIG. 23C represents the initial or first complete pull up of the fitting10. The nut 522 has axially advanced from a position P1 when the fitting2310 was in the finger-tight position (FIG. 23B) to a position P2 forthe fitting 2310 in the complete pulled up position. At the completepulled up position P2, the conduit gripping device 512 is compressed byan amount that causes the conduit gripping device to grip and seal theconduit. The distance D1 (from P1 to P2) corresponds then to the axialadvance of the nut 522 relative to the body 512 for a complete pull up.Next assume the fitting 2310, having been initially pulled up, is thendisassembled. For remake of the fitting 2310, the parts are reassembledand the nut 522 typically can be easily turned to position the nut 522at P2 because the conduit and ferrules have already been compressed andplastically deformed somewhat. This will also mean that the torquecollar 2340 is in contact with the nut 522, but there likely will be arather low load between the two. The nut 522 can then be further axiallyadvanced until the torque again distinctly increases. For example, thenut 522 may advance to position P3 in order to effect adequate seal andgrip (i.e. remake). At the remake position P3, the conduit grippingdevice 512 is compressed by an amount that causes the conduit grippingdevice to grip and reseal the conduit. The amount of compression of theconduit gripping device 512 at the position P3 is greater than theamount of compression of the conduit gripping device at position P2. InFIG. 23C the distance from P2 to P3 is exaggerated for clarity. Inpractice, each remake typically causes a small further axial advance ofthe nut 522 relative to the body 2312. For example, for a quarter inchtube fitting (meaning for example that the nominal conduit outsidediameter is about a quarter inch), each remake may require furtheradvance of about 0.1 thousandth of an inch to about ten thousandths ofan inch to properly remake the fitting 2310.

In this embodiment then, the wedge surface 2348 thus allows for remakesby allowing for further axial advance of the nut 522 relative to thebody 2312. However, other surface profiles may be used to provide thedesired torque increase relative to stroke of the nut while alsoallowing for one or more remakes. We have found that the angle α ofabout forty-five degrees can result in twenty-five or more remakes. Thetorque increase is also a function of the shape of the nut taper surface2350. The designer may choose those shapes and angles that best achievethe desired performance for pull up by torque and remakes.

Many factors will influence the final design, including but not limitedto the hardness of the torque collar 2340, surface characteristics ofthe wedge surface 2348 and the nut taper surface 2350 to effect desiredfriction between the torque collar 2340 and the nut 522, and the anglesα and β. As general criteria, for fittings that will be used with highstrength alloy metal conduits such as stainless steel, the body and nutare commonly also made of stainless steel. The torque collar 40 willtherefore need to be able to withstand the rather substantial loads thatwill be incurred as the fitting 2310 is pulled up. A torque collar 2340may then typically be made of stainless steel as well, and in some caseshardened stainless steel, so as to provide low creep with a desiredamount of friction when in contact with the nut 522. The torque collar2340 should be able to withstand the loads applied to it when thefitting 2310 has been fully assembled, and also have a high yieldstrength in order to be able to withstand remakes of the fitting 2310.But, the torque collar 2340 must also provide for allowing further axialadvance of the nut relative to the body should remakes by torque bedesired. Of course, the strength of the torque collar and its materialcharacteristics will depend on the performance criteria of the fitting2310 itself and the nature of the materials of the fitting parts and theconduit.

Because the torque collar 2340 allows for one or more remakes, the wedgesurface 2348 may be thought of as a dynamic wedge in that the torquecollar permits additional axial advance or stroke of the nut for eachremake, meaning that the contact position of the nut taper surface 2350against the wedge surface 2348 will change, even ever so slightly, witheach remake. The torque collar 2340 therefore will preferably becharacterized by a high yield strength but will yield somewhat,especially axially, to facilitate remakes when such is a desiredperformance characteristic of the fitting 2310.

We have found that the dynamic wedge concept optionally facilitatesanother inventive aspect. Not only may the fitting 2310 be initiallypulled up by torque, and remade by torque, but significantly and quiteunexpectedly the fitting 2310 may be initially pulled up and remademultiple times to the same torque value. We have achieved this even ifthe fitting is pulled up one or more times by turns. This aspect hastremendous advantages for low cost implementation in that assemblersneed only have a single torque wrench or other tool to pull up thefitting 2310.

Referring again to FIG. 5, when the axial advance of the nut withrespect to the fitting body is controlled by providing a positive stopor a torque rise, the apparatus 510 may not need to control the strokeof the nut 522 as precisely during the clamping operation. For example,the apparatus 510 may be configured to provide sufficient stroke tocause the conduit gripping device 512 to maintain its position on theconduit when the conduit gripping device is removed from the apparatusand configured to limit stroke to allow for enough axial movement of thenut and conduit gripping device toward the fitting body to grip and sealthe conduit when assembled with the fitting body. As such, when axialadvance of the nut with respect to the fitting body are controlled byproviding the fitting with a positive stop or a torque rise, the strokeof the apparatus 510 can optionally be set to have a relatively wideacceptable range. For example, the stroke can be set to the minimumstroke needed to keep the conduit gripping device on the conduit, can beset to the maximum stroke that still allows the conduit gripping deviceto grip and seal the conduit when assembled with a fitting body, or anystroke in between.

In an exemplary embodiment, the anvil 526 is also configured to set theposition of the end 532 of the conduit 514 such that the end 532 is atan appropriate position relative to the conduit gripping device 512. Forexample, the anvil 526 can be configured to allow the conduit 514 toextend through the conduit gripping device 512 and to prevent theconduit end 532 from moving more than a predetermined axial distancepast the conduit gripping device. In one embodiment, the anvil 526 isconfigured to set the position of the end 532 of the conduit 514 toappropriately “bottom” in the fitting body when the conduit grippingdevice is assembled in the fitting body. The term “bottom” means thatthe end 532 of the conduit is at an acceptable axial position withrespect to the fitting body when the fitting is pulled up. For example,the fitting body may have a stop shoulder that the conduit abuts whenthe fitting is pulled-up and/or the fitting body may have a taperedsurface axially inward of the camming mouth that the conduit engageswhen the fitting is pulled-up. In an exemplary embodiment, when thefitting body has a tapered surface for bottoming of the conduit, theconduit is properly “bottomed” if the conduit engages the taperedsurface at any point along the length of the tapered surface.

Referring to FIG. 13, the illustrated anvil 526 may include a taperedconduit bottoming surface 536 that forms a camming angle with respect tothe longitudinal axis X of the conduit 514. In an exemplary embodiment,the angle that the tapered conduit bottoming surface 536 forms withrespect to the longitudinal axis X may be the same angle that a taperedconduit bottoming surface of a fitting body (not shown) will form withrespect to the conduit when the conduit gripping device 512 is assembledwith the fitting body. Also, the axial length and position of thetapered conduit bottoming surface 536 of the anvil 526 may be the sameas the length and position of the tapered conduit bottoming surface ofthe fitting body. As such, the interior surfaces of the anvil 526 maymatch or substantially match the interior surfaces of the fitting bodythat the conduit 514 and conduit gripping device 512 will be installedin. However, in other embodiments, one or more interior surfaces of theanvil 526 may be different than the interior surfaces of the fittingbody that the conduit 514 and conduit gripping device 512 will beinstalled in. For example, the angle, length or position of the conduitbottoming surface 536 may be different than the conduit bottomingsurface of the fitting body that the conduit gripping device will beassembled in.

The clamping device 528 can take a wide variety of different forms. Forexample, the clamping device 528 can be any arrangement that forces theanvil 526 relatively toward the fitting nut 522. Examples of acceptableclamping devices include, but are not limited to, mechanisms thataxially force the fitting nut 522 relatively toward the anvil 526 byrotating the nut and mechanisms that axially force the fitting nuttoward the anvil without rotation of the nut.

In the embodiment illustrated by FIGS. 5 and 11, the clamping device 528is a mechanism that axially forces the fitting nut 522 toward the anvil526 without rotation of the nut. In this embodiment, a cylindrical outerwall 538 of the anvil 526 is sized to clear the threads of the nut 522.However, the illustrated clamping device 528 can be replaced with adevice that rotates the nut to axially force the nut toward the anvil526. For example, the outer wall 538 can be provided with threads thatmate with threads of the nut, with the clamping device 528 configured torotate the nut.

The clamping device 528 is illustrated schematically in FIGS. 5 and 11.A wide variety of different clamping devices 528 can be used to forcethe nut 522 relatively toward the anvil 526. The clamping device 528 maycomprise a hydraulic actuator, a pneumatic actuator, a pneumatic overhydraulic actuator, an electric actuator, or any other manual or poweredactuator capable of forcing the nut 522 relatively toward the anvil 526and/or capable of rotating the nut 522. A wide variety of differentexisting presses, actuators, and rotary tools can be adapted to be usedas the clamping device shown schematically in FIGS. 5 and 11. When theclamping device 528 is operated, the clamping device applies a clampingforce that forces the anvil relatively toward the fitting nut. Themovement of the anvil 526 relatively toward the nut 522 compresses theconduit gripping device 512 to force at least a portion of the conduitgripping device radially inward to retain the conduit gripping device onthe conduit 514 at a desired axial position on the conduit. The clampingdevice 528 then returns to its initial position, and the preassembly ofthe nut, conduit gripping device, and conduit are removed from theapparatus.

FIG. 5A illustrates an embodiment of the apparatus 510 that includes aclamping device 528 that comprises a pump 529 and an actuator 531. Thepump 529 provides fluid under pressure to the actuator 531 to move afirst clamping member 541, which is coupled to the anvil 526, relativeto a second clamping member 543, which is positioned behind the nut 522(the clamping member 543 is moved downward to a disengaged position inFIG. 5A). The pump 529 may take a wide variety of different forms. Forexample, any arrangement that provides pressurized fluid to the actuator531 may be used. In the example illustrated by FIG. 5A, the pump 529uses air pressure to pressurize hydraulic fluid that is provided to theactuator 531. The pump 529 includes an inlet port 533 that receives thepressurized air and an outlet port 535 that delivers the pressurizedhydraulic fluid to the actuator 531. The actuator 531 may take a widevariety of different forms. The illustrated actuator 531 includes aninlet port 537 that receives the hydraulic fluid under pressure. Whenthe hydraulic fluid under pressure is provided to the actuator, theactuator may be operated to move the anvil 526 relative to the clampingmember 543 to pre-install the conduit gripping device (under the nut 522in FIG. 5A).

In one exemplary embodiment, the clamping member 543 that drives the nutcan be moved to a position that makes it easier to load and remove theconduit 514, conduit gripping device 512, and nut 522 into the apparatus510 and makes it easier to remove the assembly from the apparatus 510.For example, the clamping member 543 can be moved up, down, left, right,split or moved in any manner that makes positioning the conduit 514,conduit gripping device 512, and nut 522 in the apparatus forinstallation and/or removing the assembly from the apparatus after theinstallation clamping easier. In the example illustrated by FIG. 5A, theclamping member 543 slides up and down between a lowered conduitaccepting position, that makes it easier to load the conduit 514,conduit gripping device 512, and nut 522 into the apparatus 510 andunload assembly from the apparatus 510 and a raised installationposition (indicated by arrow 539), where the clamping member can bemoved into clamping engagement with the nut.

In the example illustrated by FIGS. 5B-5G, the clamping device 528includes a modified clamping assembly 543′ that is pivotable between aninstallation position (FIGS. 5B-5D) and a conduit accepting/removalposition (FIGS. 5E-5G). The clamping assembly 543′ includes a holdingmember 700, a nut engagement member 702, a pivot pin 704, a retentionmember 706, a pair of retention pins 708, and a release assembly 710.The nut engagement member 702 is secured to the holding member 700. Avariety of different nut engagement members 702 can be used with theholding member 700 to allow the apparatus to install conduit grippingdevices of fittings having a variety of different sizes and types ofnuts. The holding member 700 is pivotally coupled to a piston 705 by thepivot pin 704 (see FIG. 5D).

An anvil support member 712 supports the anvil 526. For example, arms713 may connect the anvil 526 to the anvil support member 712. Thepiston 705 moves the holding member 700 relative to the anvil supportmember 712 to perform the clamping operation. The anvil 526 in theembodiment illustrated by FIGS. 5B-5G includes a camming member 750 thatengages the conduit gripping device during the installation operationand a base member 752 that supports the camming member 750. By makingthe anvil 526 from two pieces, when the camming member 750 becomes worn,it can be removed from the base member 752 and replaced.

The retention member 706 is fixed with respect to the anvil supportmember 712. The retention pins 708 are disposed in the holding member700 and are spring loaded. The spring loading biases the pins 708 in thedirection indicated by arrow 714 in FIGS. 5B and 5F. The retention pins708 are accepted by openings 716 in the retention member 706 to latchthe holding member 700 in the installation position illustrated by FIGS.5B-5D. During the clamping operation, the holding member 700 is pulledby the piston 705 (FIG. 5D) and moves along the pins 708 toward theretention member 706.

The release assembly 710 includes a release handle 720 that is pivotallycoupled to the retention member 706 at pivot 721. A pair of release pins722 are connected to the release handle (see FIG. 5C). The release pins722 are in alignment with the openings 716 and the retention pins 708.Referring to FIG. 5C, the release handle 520 is pulled in the directionindicated by arrow 730 to disengage the holding member 700 from theretention member. More specifically, the release handle 720 presses thepins 722 against the retention pins 708, to press the retention pins outof the openings 716. Once the retention pins 708 are out of the openings716, the holding member 700 can be moved to the position shown by FIGS.5E-5G.

The modified clamping assembly 543′ illustrated by FIGS. 5B-5G can beeasily moved between the conduit accepting position (FIGS. 5E-5G) andinstallation position (FIGS. 5B-5D). This ease of use allows a singleoperator to easily place a conduit, conduit gripping device, and nut inthe apparatus while the clamping assembly 543′ is in the conduitaccepting position/removal position, move the clamping assembly 543′ tothe installation position, move the conduit to the appropriate axialposition in the clamping device 528 (which optionally causes theinstallation operation to occur), move the clamping assembly 543′ backto the conduit accepting/removal position, and remove the completedpre-assembly. For example, an operator can use one or both hands toplace a conduit, conduit gripping device, and nut in the apparatus whilethe clamping assembly 543′ is in the conduit accepting position/removalposition. Once in place, the operator can hold the conduit 514 with onehand and easily pivot the holding member up to the installation positionwith the other hand, where it latches in place. Next, the operatorsimply pushes the conduit axially into the apparatus 510 to theappropriate position, which optionally causes the installation operationto automatically commence. Once the installation operation is complete,the operator can hold the conduit of the finished assembly with one handand disengage the holding member 700 with the handle 720 to return theclamping assembly 543′ to the conduit accepting/removal position. Oncein the conduit accepting/removal position, the finished assembly caneasily be removed.

The apparatus illustrated by FIGS. 5 and 6 also includes the firstposition sensor 550 positioned to sense a position of the fitting nut522 relative to the anvil 526 and the second position sensor 552positioned to sense a position of the end 532 of the conduit 514relative to the anvil. In some applications, it may not be necessary tosense both the position of the fitting nut 520 and the position ofconduit end 532. As such, the first position sensor 550 or the secondposition sensor 552 may be omitted.

The fitting nut position sensor 550 may take a wide variety of differentforms. For example, in one embodiment the fitting nut position sensor550 is a binary device that is configured to be in a first state beforethe fitting nut 522 reaches a predetermined position relative to theanvil 526 and to be in a second state once the fitting nut reaches thepredetermined position. Examples of binary fitting nut positions sensorsinclude, but are not limited to, switches, proximity sensors, halleffect sensors, inductive sensors, and the like. Any type of sensorcapable of changing states when the fitting nut 522 reaches apredetermined position relative to the anvil 526 can be used.

In another embodiment the fitting nut position sensor 550 provides acontinuous output that is indicative of the position of the fitting nut522 relative to the anvil 526 for a portion of the stroke of theclamping device 528 or the entire stroke of the clamping device. A widevariety of different continuous output position sensors can be used asthe fitting nut position sensor 550. For example, a linear variabledisplacement transducer can be used or some clamping presses includeoutputs that indicate the position of a clamping member. In thisapplication, analog sensors, digital sensors that provide outputs atpredetermined displacement intervals and/or time intervals, and multiplediscrete switches arranged to sense multiple positions of the nut withrespect to the anvil are considered to be continuous sensors.

In the example illustrated by FIGS. 5-8, the fitting nut position sensor550 is a plunger type switch. The plunger type switch includes a pin orplunger 553, an insulating bushing 554, and a spring loaded contact 556.The contact pin or plunger 553 is positioned to be engaged by thefitting nut 522 and switch the spring loaded contact 556 from a firststate to a second state when the fitting nut 522 is moved to within apredetermined distance of the stop surface 534. For example, the springloaded contact 556 may close a circuit when the fitting nut 522 is movedto within 0.005 inches of the stop surface 534.

In one exemplary embodiment, the fitting nut position sensor 550 isadapted to be used with a variety of different sizes and/or types ofnuts. This can be accomplished in a variety of different ways. Forexample, the position of the nut position sensor 550 may be adjustableand/or the nut position sensor may be sized and/or shaped to engage morethan one size and/or type of nut.

In the example illustrated by FIGS. 8A and 8B, the nut position sensor550 includes an elongated contactor 850 disposed in an anvil supportmember 712 and a pin assembly 857. The elongated contactor 850 isconfigured to mate with the pin assembly 857, which is secured in anopening 856 of anvil 526 (In the embodiment illustrated by FIG. 8A, aportion of the anvil that engages the ferrules and the ferrules are notshown to simplify the drawing). When the nut is in the properinstallation position, the nut causes a pin 858 of the pin assembly 857to contact the elongated contactor 850. The contact between the pin 858and the elongated contactor 850 causes the position sensor 550 toprovide an indication that the nut has reached the proper axialposition. Different anvils 526 will be used with different fittingsizes. The position of the opening 856 in the anvil is selected to placethe pin assembly 857 in alignment with both the nut 522 and theelongated contactor 850.

The conduit end position sensor 552 may take a wide variety of differentforms. For example, in one embodiment the conduit end position sensor552 is a binary device that is configured to be in a first state beforethe conduit end 532 reaches a predetermined position relative to theanvil 526 and to be in a second state once the conduit end reaches thepredetermined position. In an exemplary embodiment, the predeterminedposition of the conduit end relative to the anvil 526 may be anyposition that is axially past the conduit gripping device 512, but notso far past the conduit gripping device that the conduit end 532prevents the conduit gripping device from properly engaging the cammingsurface of the fitting body during pull-up. Examples of binary conduitend position sensors include, but are not limited to, switches,proximity sensors, hall effect sensors, inductive sensors, and the like.Any type of sensor capable of changing states when the conduit end 532reaches a predetermined position relative to the anvil 526 can be used.

In another embodiment the conduit end position sensor 552 provides acontinuous output that is indicative of the position of the conduit end532 relative to the anvil 526 for a portion of the axial movement of theconduit end 532 into the anvil or all axial movement of the conduit end532 into the anvil. A wide variety of different continuous outputposition sensors can be used as the conduit end position sensor 552. Forexample, a linear variable displacement transducer can be used. In thisapplication, analog sensors, digital sensors that provide outputs atpredetermined displacement intervals and/or time intervals, and multiplediscrete switches arranged to sense multiple positions of the conduitend with respect to the anvil are considered to be continuous sensors.

In the embodiment illustrated by FIGS. 5-16, the conduit end positionsensor 552 is configured to be in a first state when the conduit end 532is outside the tapered conduit bottoming surface 536 and to be in asecond state when the conduit end 532 is in the tapered conduitbottoming surface 536. The conduit end position sensor 552 is in thesecond state regardless of where in the tapered conduit bottomingsurface 536 the conduit end 532 is positioned. In the illustratedembodiment, the conduit end position sensor 552 is also configuredprevent the conduit end 532 from moving axially past the tapered conduitbottoming surface 536.

The conduit end position sensor 552 is assembled with the anvil 526.Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, the conduit end position sensor 552includes a base block 560, a backing member 561, a conduit endengagement assembly 562, and a contact assembly 564. The conduit endengagement assembly 562 includes a conduit end engagement member 566, astop member 568, and a biasing member 570, such as a spring. The contactassembly 564 includes a contact 572 and a biasing member 574, such as aspring. Referring to FIG. 9, the base block 560 includes a stepped bore576 having a first cylindrical portion 578 and a second cylindricalportion 580 that is diametrically larger than the first portion todefine an annular stop shoulder 582 or step therebetween. The contact572 includes a cylindrical contact portion 584 and a cylindrical stopflange 586 that extends radially outward from the cylindrical contactportion 584. A central bore 585 extends through the contact 572. Thecontact 572 is slideably disposed in the stepped bore 576 of the baseblock 560. The biasing member 574 is disposed in the second cylindricalportion 580 of the stepped bore 576 between the cylindrical stop flange586 of the contact and the backing member 561. The biasing member 574biases the cylindrical contact flange 586 into engagement with the stopshoulder 582 such that the contact portion 584 extends into the firstcylindrical portion 578 of the stepped bore 576. The stop member 568includes a threaded portion 588 and a head 590. The threaded portion 588extends through the central bore 585 of the contact 572 with the head590 disposed in the second cylindrical portion 580 of the stepped bore.The conduit end engagement member 566 is connected to the threadedportion 588 of the stop member 568. Referring to FIG. 13, the conduitend engagement member 566 is disposed in a bore 592 of the anvil 526.Referring to FIG. 7, the biasing member 570 biases the stop member 568into engagement with the contact 572. The biasing member 574 is disposedaround the biasing member 570 and the head 590 of the stop member 568.Referring to FIG. 9, the conduit engagement member 566 includes astepped outer surface having a first cylindrical portion 600 and asecond cylindrical portion 602 that is diametrically larger than thefirst portion to define an annular stop shoulder 604 or steptherebetween. The conduit engagement member 566 is moveable toward thecontact 572, until the conduit engagement member 566 engages thecontact. When the conduit end engagement member 566 is spaced apart fromthe contact 572, the conduit end position sensor 552 is in a firststate. When the conduit end engagement member 566 is in contact with thecontact 572, the conduit end position sensor 552 changes to a secondstate. For example, a circuit may be closed when the conduit endengagement member 566 engages the contact 572.

FIGS. 5 and 11 illustrate operation of the conduit end position sensor552. In FIG. 5, the conduit 514 is disposed in the bore 492, but the end532 of the conduit has not yet reached the tapered conduit bottomingsurface 536. In this position, the conduit end 532 is in contact withthe conduit end engagement member 566, which is spaced apart from thecontact 572. The conduit 514 will then be pressed further into the bore592 of the anvil 526 as indicated by arrow 610. As the conduit 514 isadvanced in the bore 592, the engagement member 566 is moved toward thecontact 572 against the biasing force of the inner biasing member 570,while the outer biasing member 574 maintains the flange 586 of thecontact 572 against the shoulder 582. At the point the conduit end 532enters the tapered conduit bottoming surface 536, the engagement member566 comes into contact with the contact 572. This contact between theengagement member 566 and the contact changes the state of the conduitend position sensor. Referring to FIG. 11, if the conduit end 532 isadvanced further into the tapered conduit bottoming surface 536, theengagement member 566 remains in contact with the contact 572 and movesthe contact 572 axially into the stepped bore 576 against the biasingforces of the biasing members 570, 574. The advancement of the conduitend 532 into the tapered conduit bottoming surface 536 may continueuntil the conduit end reaches the end 612 of the tapered conduitbottoming surface. When the conduit end reaches the end 612 of thetapered conduit bottoming surface 536, the annular stop shoulder 604engages the block 560 to prevent further axial advancement of theconduit end 532.

Referring to FIG. 5, in one exemplary embodiment, an output device 620is in communication with the first position sensor 550 and the secondposition sensor 552. The output device 620 is configured to output afirst signal 621 or nut position signal that indicates whether thefitting nut 522 has reached the predetermined position relative to theanvil 526. The output device 620 is also configured to output a secondsignal or conduit end position signal 622 that indicates whether theconduit end 532 has reached the predetermined position relative to theanvil 526 or is in an acceptable range of predetermined positionsrelative to the anvil.

The output device 620 may take a wide variety of different forms. Theoutput device 620 may be a single device that outputs a nut positionsignal 621 and the conduit end position signal 622 or two separatedevices that output the nut position signal and the end position signal.The output signals may take a wide variety of different forms. Theoutput signal(s) may be visual, audible, and/or tactile signals thatindicate to an operator of the apparatus 510 whether or not the nut 522and/or the conduit end 532 have reached their appropriate predeterminedpositions relative to the anvil 526. The output signal(s) may be wiredor wireless signals that are used to automatically or semi-automaticallycontrol operation of the apparatus 510. For example, the conduit endposition signal 622 may be used to prevent the clamping device 528 fromoperating, until the conduit end 532 is in an appropriate bottomedposition in the anvil 526. Further, the conduit end position signal 622may be used to automatically start operation of the clamping device 528when the conduit end 532 is in an appropriate bottomed position in theanvil 526 Once the conduit end 532 is appropriately bottomed, theclamping device forces the nut 522 relatively toward the anvil 526 tocompress the conduit gripping device 512 onto the conduit 514. The nutposition signal 621 may be used to stop operation of the clamping device528 when the nut 522 has reached the appropriate pre-assembly relativeto the anvil 526 (i.e. an appropriate axial stroke has been achieved).

A wide variety of control algorithms and/or circuits can be used withthe conduit end position sensor 552 and the nut position sensor 550 tocontrol the installation of the conduit gripping device 512 onto theouter wall 516 of the conduit 514. FIG. 24 is a flow chart thatillustrates one exemplary control algorithm 1900. In the embodiments ofFIGS. 5A-5G, the clamping member 543 or clamping assembly 543′ can bemoved to a lowered, conduit accepting position that makes it easier toload the conduit 514, conduit gripping device 512, and nut 522 into theapparatus 510. In an exemplary embodiment, the installation operationcannot occur until the clamping member is returned to the installationposition (see FIG. 5B).

Referring to FIG. 24, the method determines 1910 whether the clampingmember 543 or clamping assembly 543′ is in the installation position. Ifthe clamping member 543 or clamping assembly 543′ is not in theinstallation position, the method does not continue until movement ofthe clamping member or assembly to the installation position is sensed.

If the clamping member or assembly is in the installation position, themethod determines 1912 whether the conduit 514 is in the proper axialposition. This determination can be performed with the conduit endposition sensor 552. If the conduit 514 is not in the proper position,the method does not continue until movement of the conduit to thecorrect position is sensed. Once the clamping member or assembly 543,543′ is in the installation position and the conduit 514 is in theproper position, a clamping force is applied 1914 to axially advance theclamping member or assembly 543 or 543′ and install the conduit grippingdevice 512 onto the conduit 514. This application 1914 of clamping forcemay be automatically triggered or initiated by the conduit end positionsensor 552 or a separate user input may be required (in addition to theinput from the sensor 552) to apply 1914 the clamping force.

While the clamping force is being applied 1914, the method monitors 1916whether the nut 522 has reached the axial position that corresponds toproper installation on the conduit (referred to as “nut installed” onthe drawing). This monitoring 1916 can be performed with the nutposition sensor 550. If the nut does not reach the proper installationposition, the clamping force is maintained or continued. The clampingforce may automatically be removed after a predetermined period of timeafter the clamping force is applied and the method does not sense thatthe conduit has reached the proper pre-installation position.

When the method determines that the nut 522 has reached the positionthat corresponds to proper installation on the conduit, the clampingforce is removed 1918 and the clamping member 543 or clamping assembly543′ returns to its original axial position. After the installation, theclamping member 543 or clamping assembly 543′ can be returned to thelowered conduit accepting position/removal position to allow the conduitgripping device, and nut installed on the conduit to be removed from theapparatus.

The method determines 1920 whether the clamping member 543 or clampingassembly 543′ is moved to the conduit accepting/removal position afterthe removal 1918 of the clamping force. In the exemplary embodimentillustrated by FIG. 24, if the clamping member 543 or clamping assembly543′ is not moved to the conduit accepting/removal position after theremoval 1918 of the clamping force, the method does not continue untilmovement of the clamping member to the accepting/removal position issensed. This prevents the full clamping force from being applied to theconduit gripping device 512 again, after the nut 522 has reached theposition that corresponds to proper installation on the conduit 514.Once the clamping member is in the lowered conduit accepting/removalposition, another conduit, conduit gripping device, and nut can bepositioned in the apparatus and the method can start 1901 again.

The method illustrated by FIG. 24 can be performed in a wide variety ofdifferent ways. FIG. 25 is an electrical schematic of one circuit 2000that can perform the method illustrated by FIG. 24. Electrical power isselectively supplied to the circuit 2000 by a power supply 2010. Theelectrical power is selectively applied to the circuit 2000 by amomentary switch 2012 that operates a relay switch 2014. However, anytype of switch can be used. For example, the momentary switch and relayswitch can be replaced with a single mechanical switch.

The circuit 2000 controls a valve solenoid 2002 that controls theclamping device. For example, the valve solenoid 2002 may selectivelyapply fluid under pressure to a fluid driven actuator, such as an airover hydraulic actuator. The circuit includes a conduit end positionsensor 552, a nut position sensor 550, a first clamping member sensor2016 that detects when the clamping member is in the clamping position,a second clamping member sensor 2018 that detects when the clampingmember is in the conduit accepting position, and a valve relay 2020. Theconduit end position sensor 552, the nut position sensor 550, the firstclamping member sensor 2016, and the second clamping member sensor 2018are schematically illustrated as switches, but any type of sensor may beused and the sensors may be different types from one another.

If the clamping member 543 or clamping assembly 543′ is not in theclamping position, the first clamping member sensor 2016 prevents powerfrom being supplied to the valve solenoid 2002. For example, the firstclamping member sensor 2016 may be a switch that is open when theclamping member 543 or clamping assembly 543′ is not in the clampingposition. Once the clamping member 543 or clamping assembly 543′ is inthe clamping position, the first clamping member sensor 2016 changesstate. For example, the first clamping member sensor 2016 may be aswitch that is closed when the clamping member 543 or clamping assembly543′ is in the clamping position.

If the conduit is not properly positioned, the conduit end positionsensor 552 prevents power from being supplied to the valve solenoid2002. For example, conduit end position sensor 552 may be a switch thatis open, and power cannot be supplied to the valve solenoid 2002. Oncethe clamping member 543 or clamping assembly 543′ is in the clampingposition and the conduit is properly positioned, power is applied to thevalve solenoid 2002 to apply clamping force to axially advance theclamping member 543 or clamping assembly 543′ and install the conduitgripping device on the conduit. The clamping force is applied until therelay 2020 contacts change positions. The solid lines illustrate thepositions of the contacts of the relay 2020 that allow power to beapplied to the solenoid valve. The broken lines show the position of thecontacts of the relay 2020 that prevent power from being applied to thesolenoid valve. The contacts of the relay 2020 will remain in thepositions illustrated by solid lines, until the nut causes the nutposition sensor 550 to sense movement of the nut 522 to the appropriateaxial position and provides a path to the relay 2020. For example, thenut position sensor 550 may be a switch that closes upon movement of thenut 522 to the appropriate axial position.

Once the nut position sensor 550 provides a path to the relay 2020, therelay contacts will change to the positions shown in broken lines, aftera delay determined by a timing device, such a as a capacitor 2030, tode-energize the solenoid valve 2002 and remove the clamping force. Thecontacts of the valve relay 2020 will remain in the positions indicatedby the dashed lines, until the sensor 2018 detects that the clampingmember 543 or clamping assembly 543′ has been moved to the conduitaccepting position. Movement of the clamping member 543 or clampingassembly 543′ to the conduit accepting position causes sensor 2018 toclose a path. For example, the sensor 2018 may be a switch that isclosed by moving the clamping member 543 or clamping assembly 543′ tothe conduit accepting position, which causes the contacts of the relay2020 to move back to the positions indicated by solid lines. Once thecontacts have returned to the positions illustrated by solid lines, thecircuit can be operated again to install another conduit gripping deviceand nut on a conduit.

It should be appreciated that the circuit can be configured in a widevariety of manners, other than as illustrated. A chassis or frame of theinstallation unit may be electrically connected to the common of thepower source 2010. With this arrangement, connection of the conduit endposition sensor 52, nut position sensor 50, clamping member switch 2016,clamping member switch 2018 and/or valve relay 2020 to common can bemade via the frame or chassis. In this arrangement, one or more of theconduit end position sensor 552, nut position sensor 550, first clampingmember switch 2016 and second clamping member switch 2018 may includeonly single lead wires that connect to other components of the circuit2000 and connections to common made through a body of the sensor.

FIGS. 17-20 illustrate a second exemplary embodiment of an apparatus1310 for installing a conduit gripping device 512 onto an outer wall 516of a conduit 514. The apparatus 1310 includes an anvil 526, a clampingdevice 1328, and a load cell 1329. The anvil 526 may be as describedwith respect to the embodiment of FIGS. 5-16, and is therefore notdescribed in detail again.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 17-20, the clamping device 1328 is anarrangement that forces the anvil 526 relatively toward the fitting nut522. The illustrated clamping device 1328 axially forces the fitting nut522 toward the anvil 526 without rotation of the nut. However, theillustrated clamping device 1328 can be replaced with a device thatrotates the nut to axially force the nut toward the anvil 526. Forexample, the outer wall 538 can be provided with threads that mate withthreads of the nut, with the clamping device 1328 configured to rotatethe nut.

Referring to FIG. 18, the clamping device 1328 may include an output1330 that provides a clamping position output signal 1331. The clampingposition output signal is indicative of the position of the fitting nut522 relative to the anvil 526. In an exemplary embodiment, the clampingposition output signal is continuous for a portion of the stroke or forthe entire stroke of the clamping device 1328.

The load cell 1329 is configured to measure the load or clamping forceapplied by the clamping device 1328. Referring to FIG. 18, the load cellmay include an output 1332 that provides a clamping force output signal1333 that is indicative of the clamping force applied by the clampingdevice 1328. In another embodiment, the clamping device, when configuredto rotate the nut (see ref. no. 1328′ in FIG. 18 and FIG. 22) isconfigured to measure the torque applied to the nut. For example, asensor 1327 (FIG. 18) may be included to measure the torque appliedbetween the nut 522 and the anvil 526. Such a torque sensor 1327 maytake a wide variety of different forms. This torque measurement may takethe place of the clamping force measurement, or the torque measurementmay be done in addition to the clamping force measurement. The torquemeasurement may also be communicated by an output signal 1335. In anexemplary embodiment, the clamping force output signal and/or torqueoutput signal are continuous for a portion of the stroke or for theentire stroke of the clamping device 1328. In another embodiment, theclamping force output signal and/or the torque output signal maycomprise one or more discrete outputs at different time intervals,displacements and/or torque values. The clamping force output signal1333 and/or the torque output signal 1335 may be associated with theclamping position output signal 1331. This association allows themonitored clamping force and/or torque to be compared to an expectedclamping force and/or torque along the stroke of the clamping device.

By continuously monitoring the nut position relative to the anvil andthe clamping force and/or clamping torque at each position of the nutwith respect to the anvil, a variety of condition(s) of the nut 522,conduit gripping device 512, and/or the anvil 526 can be determined.Prior to the clamping of the pre-installation operation or at thebeginning of the clamping operation, proper fitting component quantity,type, orientation, and position can be detected, and the condition ofthe anvil can be detected. This may be achieved by applying a smallportion of the clamping force and/or clamping torque with the clampingdevice 1328 and checking for errors before the full clamping forceand/or clamping torque that would typically permanently deform one ormore of the components is applied. This test can be used to determinewhether the clamping operation will start at the correct position. Forexample, a clamping force and/or clamping torque that is lower thanexpected at the expected beginning of the stroke of the clamping devicemay indicate that one or more components (a conduit gripping devicecomponent for example) of the conduit gripping device is missing (SeeFIG. 1C for example) or is the wrong type of component or may indicatethat the anvil is worn. This expected beginning of the stroke may bedetermined, because the total axial length of the components of theconduit gripping device, assembled in the correct order, in the correctorientation is known (See FIG. 1A for example). The detection of aclamping force and/or clamping torque before the expected beginningposition may indicate that too many components are present, the wrongtype of components are present, the orientation of one or morecomponents is incorrect, or the position of one or more components isincorrect (See FIGS. 1D-1G for example).

Each conduit gripping device and conduit combination will have anexpected displacement vs. force (or torque) curve for the stroke of theclamping device 1328. The actual displacement vs. force (or torque) foreach clamping operation may be monitored to determine whether there is apotential problem with the conduit gripping device or the anvil.Further, each incorrect assembly will also have an expected displacementvs. force (or torque) curve. In one embodiment, when a potential problemis detected, for example, by detecting a deviation from the expecteddisplacement vs. force (or torque) curve, the apparatus 1310 comparesthe measured displacement vs. force (or torque) with displacement vs.force (or torque) curves of known incorrect assemblies to identify thetype of incorrect assembly.

The apparatus illustrated by FIGS. 17-20 also includes a continuousconduit end position sensor 1352 positioned to continuously sense aposition of the end 532 of the conduit 514 relative to the anvil 526.The continuous conduit end position sensor 1352 may comprise, forexample, a linear variable differential transformer. Referring to FIG.18, the continuous conduit end position sensor 1352 provides a conduitposition output 1353 that is indicative of the position of the end 532of the conduit in the anvil 526. In one exemplary embodiment, theapparatus 1310 is configured to provide an alert or prevent operation ofthe clamping device 1328 if the conduit is not in a proper predeterminedposition in the anvil. For example, the alert may be provided oroperation of the clamping device 1328 may be prevented if the conduitend 532 is outside the tapered conduit bottoming surface 536.

In the example illustrated by FIGS. 17-20, the conduit end positionsensor 1352 is disposed in a base 1360 of the clamping device 1328. Aconduit end engagement member 1366 is connected to a shaft 1368 of theconduit end position sensor 1352. The conduit end engagement member 1366is disposed in the bore 592 of the anvil 526 (see FIG. 17A). The conduitengagement member 1366 includes a stepped outer surface having a firstcylindrical portion 1300 and a second cylindrical portion 1302 that isdiametrically larger than the first portion to define an optionalannular stop shoulder 1304 or step therebetween.

Referring to FIG. 19A the conduit end 532 may be moved into the taperedconduit bottoming surface 536 until the conduit end reaches the end 612of the tapered conduit bottoming surface (unless the tapered surface 536prevents further insertion first). When the conduit end reaches the end612 of the tapered conduit bottoming surface 536, the optional annularstop shoulder 1304 engages the block 60 to prevent further axialadvancement of the conduit end 532.

Referring to FIG. 18, in one exemplary embodiment, an output device 1420is in communication with one or more of the nut position output 1330 ofthe clamping device, the load cell 1329, the torque sensor 1327, and theconduit end position sensor 1352. In one exemplary embodiment, theoutput device 1420 comprises a processor or other logic applying device.The output device may use the nut position signal, clamping force signaland/or torque signal, and conduit end position signal in a wide varietyof different ways. Proper insertion of the conduit can be determinedbefore or during the clamping of the pre-installation operation, propercomponent quantity, type, and orientation can be determined before orduring the clamping of the pre-installation operation, the condition ofthe anvil 526 can be determined before or during the clamping of thepre-installation operation, and sufficient nut stroke in the clamping ofthe pre-installation operation can be determined. The output device 1420may count each instance of clamping of the pre-installation operationand may measure and record the extent of conduit insertion and/or nutstroke with each clamping. The output device 1420 can send an alert orblock the progress or completion of a clamping of a pre-installationoperation if the conduit insertion is insufficient or if the nut strokeis incomplete. By applying a slight load and/or torque before theclamping of the pre-installation operation, the output device 1420 candetermine a starting position where clamping force and/or torque isfirst applied to verify proper component quantity, type, orientation,and position. The starting position can also be used to detect wear ofthe anvil. If the sensed starting position is incorrect, the outputdevice 1420 may send an alert and/or stop or block the progress of theclamping of the pre-installation operation. Additional signals andsensors may provide input to the output device 1420. For example, theapparatus 1310 may include additional sensors that monitor conditions ofthe conduit gripping device, such as the position of the conduitgripping device on the conduit, the depth of the grip on the conduit, anamount of strain in a portion of the conduit gripping device and/orconduit, and a maximum strain of the conduit gripping device and/orconduit.

FIG. 22 illustrates an embodiment of an apparatus 2210 where the anvil2226 includes threads 2211 that mate with the threads 2212 of the nutwhen the clamping device 2228 is a mechanism that rotates the fittingnut 22. When the anvil 2226 includes threads 2211, the clamping device2228 may be a hand operated wrench or a powered wrench. The wrench maybe any device that has a nut engaging surface or surfaces 2214 that areconfigured to engage and rotate a driven surface 2216 of the nut 22 asis well known in the art. In FIG. 22, arrow 2218 indicates that thewrench may be placed on the nut and arrow 2220 indicates that the wrenchmay be rotated to axially advance the nut 22. The wrench may include ahandle, or may be a device, such as a socket that is rotated by apowered shaft. The wrench may be a torque wrench that rotates thefitting nut 22 onto the anvil 2226 until a predetermined torque requiredto further turn and axially advance the nut is reached. When thepredetermined torque is reached, the torque wrench automatically stopsturning the nut. The anvil may be configured to sharply increase thetorque required to turn the nut when the nut has reached a predeterminedstroke. For example, the anvil may have the positive stop surface 2234as illustrated or the anvil may be otherwise configured to provide atorque rise when the predetermined stroke is reached.

In one exemplary embodiment, the torque wrench may be set to the sametorque that is used when the conduit gripping device 512 and fitting nut522 are pulled up with a fitting body. This use of the same torque forthe preassembly and the final assembly may be accomplished with an anvilthat has a positive stop surface or that is otherwise configured toprovide a torque rise. Referring to FIG. 23C, the torque collar 2340 andthe nut 522 are designed to produce a distinct torque value T1 due tothe increasing load between the nut 522 and the torque collar 2340 thatcorresponds to a desired or needed axial displacement or stroke of thenut 522 relative to the body to effect proper pull-up. This occurs at aposition P2 for the fitting 2310 in the complete pulled up position. Thetorque required to compress a conduit gripping device, such as theferrules 518, 520, to the pulled up position P2 may vary significantlyfrom fitting to fitting. In one exemplary embodiment, the torque collar2340 is configured to provide a torque value T1 that is equal to orgreater than a maximum expected torque required to compress the conduitgripping device, such as the ferrules 518, 520, and axially advance thefitting nut 522 to the pulled up position P2. This assures that theapplication of the torque T1 to the fitting 2310 will axially advancethe nut 522 all the way to the position P2 where the nut engages thetorque collar 2340. The torque collar 2340 engages the nut 522 while thepredetermined torque T1 is applied to set the amount of compression ofthe conduit gripping device 512 to correspond to position P2.

Referring to FIGS. 22 and 23C, the axial advance or stroke of the nutduring the preassembly process is less than the axial advance requiredto properly pull-up the fitting. For example, in FIG. 23C position P1may represent a position when the fitting 2310 is in a finger-tightposition after the preassembly process. At position P1, the conduitgripping device 512 is compressed by an amount that causes the conduitgripping device to grip onto the conduit. Position P2 is the pulled-upposition. At the complete pulled up position P2, the conduit grippingdevice 512 is compressed by an amount that causes the conduit grippingdevice to grip and seal the conduit. The amount of compression of theconduit gripping device at the position P2 is greater than the amount ofcompression at the position P1. As a result, when the anvil has apositive stop surface 2234 that corresponds to the position P1,application of the predetermined torque T1 required to pull up thefitting to position P2 is sufficient to bring the nut into engagementwith the positive stop surface 2234. Thus, the positive stop 2234engages the nut 522 while the torque T1 is applied between the anvil2226 and the nut 522 to set the amount of compression of the conduitgripping device 512. This assumes that the anvil 2226 has aconfiguration that is substantially the same as the fitting body 2312.For example, the camming mouth 2230 and threads 2211 of the anvil 2226have substantially the same configuration (i.e. size, shape, coefficientof friction, etc.) as the camming mouth 2330 and threads of the fittingbody 2312. When the torque T1 required to pull up the fitting 2310 tothe pulled up position P2 is sufficient to bring the nut 522 on theanvil 2226 into engagement with the positive stop surface 2234, the samepredetermined torque T1 can be used to preassemble the conduit grippingdevice and nut on the conduit and pull-up the fitting. This provides anumber of advantages. For example, the same tool or type of tool withthe same torque setting can be used for both the preassembly operationand pull-up of the fitting.

Also, as is described above, the torque collar 2340 may allow thefitting 2310 to be initially pulled up and remade multiple times to thesame torque value. That is, after the fitting is pulled up at theposition P2, the fitting can be disassembled, such that the nut 522 isseparated from the body 2312 and then reassembled. In this embodiment,reapplication of the same torque T1 further axially advances the nut 522with respect to the fitting body to the position P3. At the remakeposition P3, the conduit gripping device 512 is compressed by an amountthat causes the conduit gripping device to grip and reseal the conduit.The amount of compression for the conduit gripping device 512 is greaterat the remake position P3 than at the pull up position P2. The torquecollar 2340 engages the nut 522 while the predetermined torque T1 isapplied to set the amount of compression of the conduit gripping device512 to correspond to position P3. In one exemplary embodiment, the sametorque value is selected for preassembling the fitting, initial pull-upof the fitting, and one or more remakes of the fitting. This aspect hastremendous advantages for low cost implementation in that assemblersneed only have a single torque wrench or other tool to preassemble theconduit gripping device and nut on the conduit, pull up the fitting, andremake the fitting.

After the fitting nut 22 reaches the predetermined stroke with respectto the anvil 2226, the wrench turns the nut in the opposite direction toremove the nut 522 from the anvil 2226, to allow the preassembly of thenut 22, conduit gripping device 512, and conduit 514 to be removed. Theanvil 2226 can be used with or without the nut position sensor 2250and/or the conduit end position sensor 2252. When included, the nutposition sensor 2250 may provide an indication of the position of thenut 22 relative to the anvil 2226 and/or the conduit end position sensor2252 may provide an indication of the position of the conduit endrelative to the anvil 2226. When included, the nut position sensor 2250and/or conduit end position sensor 2252 can be any of the nut positionsensors or conduit end position sensors described in this application orany other sensors capable of detecting the position of the nut 522relative to the anvil 2226 or the position of the conduit 514 relativeto the anvil.

Referring to FIG. 21, in one exemplary embodiment gauging of the nut522, conduit gripping device 512, and conduit 514 is performed to ensurethat the nut 522 and the conduit gripping device is properlypre-installed at the desired axial location on the conduit 514. Thegauging is performed by assembling the pre-assembly (conduit 514, nut522, and gripping device 512) in a gauging tool 1710. The gauging tool1710 may be the anvil 526 of apparatus 510 or 1310 or the gauging toolmay be a separate tool. A predetermined clamping force as indicated byarrows 1312 is applied to the nut 522 and the tool 1710 and the positionof the nut 522 relative to the tool 1710 is measured, for example asindicated at 1714, and/or the position of the conduit end 532 relativeto the tool is measured, for example as indicated at 1716. The clampingforce 1312 is a force that is smaller than the force required to furthercompress the conduit gripping device 512 onto the conduit 514. Forexample, the clamping force may be 100 lbs. The gauging illustrated byFIG. 21 may be performed after the pre-assembly is removed from theapparatus 510 or apparatus 1310 or the apparatus 510 or the apparatus1310 may be operated to perform the gauging after the pre-installationoperation, but before the pre-assembly is removed.

The invention has been described with reference to the preferredembodiments. Modifications and alterations will occur to others upon areading and understanding of this specification. It is intended toinclude all such modifications and alterations insofar as they comewithin the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.

The invention claimed is:
 1. Apparatus for manually pre-installing aconduit gripping device of a fitting onto a conduit, the apparatuscomprising: a male threaded tool comprising a camming surface, said malethreaded tool being manually joinable with a female threaded nut havinga drive surface, the conduit gripping device being positionable betweensaid camming surface and the female threaded nut drive surface when saidmale threaded tool is joined with the female threaded nut, a sensor thatproduces, in response to making contact with the female threaded nut, anoutput that indicates when said camming surface and said drive surfacehave reached a predetermined relative axial stroke, said sensor makingcontact with said female threaded nut to produce said sensor output whena nut rotating mechanism is manually operated to axially advance saidcamming surface relative to said drive surface to said predeterminedrelative axial stroke after said male threaded tool is joined with saidfemale threaded nut.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein saidpredetermined relative axial stroke causes the conduit gripping deviceto grip the conduit, said predetermined relative axial stroke being lessthan a full relative axial stroke when the pre-installed conduitgripping device is subsequently pulled-up with a complete fitting. 3.The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said sensor comprises an elongatedcontactor that is disposed on said male threaded tool.
 4. The apparatusof claim 1 wherein said sensor comprises a pin that is disposed on saidmale threaded tool and that contacts said female threaded nut.
 5. Theapparatus of claim 1 wherein said female threaded nut contacts apositive stop surface of said male threaded tool at said predeterminedrelative axial stroke.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said nutrotating mechanism comprises a hand operated wrench.
 7. The apparatus ofclaim 1 wherein said nut rotating mechanism comprises a hand operatedtorque wrench.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said nut rotatingmechanism comprises a powered wrench.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1wherein said sensor comprises at least one of the following: a switch,proximity sensor, hall effect sensor, inductive sensor, binary statesensor, linear variable displacement transducer, analog sensor.
 10. Theapparatus of claim 1 wherein the female threaded nut is retained on theconduit with the conduit gripping device after said camming surface andthe female threaded drive surface are moved to said predeterminedrelative axial stroke.
 11. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said sensoris disposed on said male threaded tool.
 12. The apparatus of claim 1wherein said conduit gripping device comprises a front ferrule and aback ferrule.
 13. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said conduit grippingdevice comprises only one ferrule.